The DC Circuit Court of Appeals is one of the most important federal courts in the country. It serves as a crucial check on the power of the executive branch and Congress, ensuring that the laws they pass are constitutional. With its expansive jurisdiction, the DC Circuit Court of Appeals is responsible for hearing appeals from almost all federal district court cases originating in the country’s capital. But with a shortage of judges, the court is facing a crisis: vacancies.
As of this writing, four of the DC Circuit Court of Appeals’ eleven seats are currently vacant. This situation is made worse by the fact that the court is already backlogged with cases. With fewer judges, each one is forced to take on more and more cases, creating even longer wait times for justice seekers. The problem has become so severe that some have argued that the court should be expanded to alleviate the backlog.
The issue of vacant seats is not unique to the DC Circuit Court of Appeals. Across the nation, there are an estimated 121 judicial vacancies, and the Trump administration has been slow to fill them. This is despite the fact that circuit courts are already at historic lows, with only ten judgeships remaining unfilled.
The consequences of these vacant seats are dire. They reflect the lack of appreciation for the importance of the judiciary, both in terms of protecting civil rights and in providing justice to those who seek it. Without enough judges to hear cases, there is a greater chance that some will fall through the cracks, resulting in injustice.
The vacancy crisis on the DC Circuit Court of Appeals is a symptom of a larger problem: the failure to recognize the importance of an independent judiciary. The court plays an indispensable role in our system of checks and balances, and it is essential that it be staffed with enough qualified judges to ensure that justice is served for all. It is time for the Trump administration to take action and ensure that the DC Circuit Court of Appeals is able to fulfill its vital role in our democracy.
5 Supreme Court Justices Who Got Their Start On The D C Circuit Atlantic
Filling The D C Circuit Vacancies
Biden Gets Third Vacancy To Fill On Dc Appeals Court As Judge Moves Senior Status
United States Court Of Appeals
President Announces Three Nominees For The D C Circuit Court Whitehouse Gov
Untitled
Biden Poised To Announce First Wave Of Nominations Reshape U S Courts
Frontrunners Emerge For New Vacancy On Influential Appeals Court
Judicial Appointments District Of Columbia 2
Lawyers Recommended For Fifth Dc Superior Court Vacancy National Law Journal
Mcconnell Reaches Milestone On Judges By Filling Final Circuit Court Vacancy
Can Biden Rebalance The Judiciary
Jnc
Trump To Announce Slate Of Conservative Federal Court Nominees The New York Times
Careers District Of Columbia Courts
Women In The Federal Judiciary Still A Long Way To Go
Pick For Court Is 3rd In A Row Blocked By Republicans The New York Times
D C Circuit Review Reviewed Judges Ken Starr And Justin Walker Yale Journal On Regulation
Trump To Fill 100 Vacancies On Federal Bench