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Rebalancing in the federal courts of appeal

By Karl R. Keys, Esq.

The National Law Journal has this must read article (via Steve Hall) on the power of the new adminstration to shape the lower federal judiciary.  Long story short, four of the six most active courts handling capital cases will move from majority Republican appointee to majority Democratic appointee. By the end of a four-year term, the Obama administration could expect to turn as many as eight of the nation’s 13 federal circuits from either slightly to solidly Democrat-appointed majorities. Currently, only the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which will have 29 judgeships, has a majority of Democrat- appointed judges. The transition could shift the 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, 7th 11th and D.C. circuits, with the 9th adding to its existing Democrat appointees...continue to full post

Full post as published by Capital Defense Weekly on November 10, 2008 (boomark / email).