CRS Report on Changes in State Representation of Circuit Court Judges since 1891

"STATE REPRESENTATION" IN APPOINTMENTS TO FEDERAL COURTS OF APPEALS   
CRS Publication Date:  01/24/2007
Document No.:  RS22510
Author(s):  R. Sam Garrett and Kevin M. Scott, Government and Finance Division

Abstract:  Using a comprehensive scholarly database, this report provides an overview and analysis of changes in state representation of circuit court judges confirmed since 1891, when Congress created the modern regional appeals courts. The data reveal that some seats are consistently filled by judges from the same state. Other seats are filled by judges from various states in that circuit. Overall, changes in state representation have occurred in 24% of confirmed nominations since 1891. Changes in state representation were more common prior to the 1960s than in recent decades; 14% of appointments to circuit courts after the Kennedy Administration have changed state representation. The frequency of those changes has also varied by circuit.

CRS Reports can be obtained from www.GalleryWatch.com. Individual reports are available from www.pennyhill.com. [RJ]