James Robart: 5 things to know about judge who blocked travel ban

[Right_in_Virginia]

James Robart: 5 things to know about judge who blocked travel ban
CNN, Feb 4, 2017, Marilia Brocchetto

The federal judge who temporarily blocked President Donald Trump's immigration order represented the disadvantaged and refugees before he was nominated by then-President George W. Bush.

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1) He went from private practice to the federal bench
James L. Robart has been a federal judge in the US District Court for the Western District of Washington state since 2004, the year after Bush nominated him to the federal bench. He assumed senior status in 2016.

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2) He's known for community service
During his confirmation hearing, Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington praised Robart for his "generous sense of community service through his work with at-risk and special needs youth."

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3) This is not the first time he's been in the news
Robart sparked controversy last year for a remark he made from the bench involving a case alleging use of excessive force by police.

According to a video posted on the federal court's website, Robart said "black lives matter" during a court hearing in August 2016. Citing FBI statistics, he said, "Police shootings resulting in deaths involved 41% black people, despite being only 20% of the population living in those cities."

"Forty-one percent of the casualties, 20% people of the population -- black lives matter," Robart said.

The remark came during testimony in 2012 lawsuit filed by the Obama administration against the Seattle Police Department. The Department of Justice wanted the police force to change certain policies after an investigation found "reasonable cause to believe that SPD had engaged in a pattern or practice of excessive force." The DOJ report also identified "serious concerns about certain practices that could have a disparate impact on minority communities."

4) He's done pro bono work with refugees
During his confirmation hearing, Republican Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah noted that Robart had done pro bono legal work and had represented refugees during his career.

"He has been active in the representation of the disadvantaged through his work with Evergreen Legal Services and the independent representation of Southeast Asian refugees," Hatch said.

Robart was confirmed unanimously by the Senate.

5) He sees court system as means to help people
It was also during his confirmation hearing that Robart spoke about using the courts to help people who felt disenfranchised.

"I was introduced to people who in many times felt that the legal system was stacked against them or was unfair," he said. "And one of the things, I think, that my time there helped accomplish was to show them that the legal system was set up for their benefit and that it could be, if properly used, an opportunity for them to seek redress if they had been wronged."


Read more:   http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/04/politics/judge-james-robart-travel-ban-profile/

[DiogenesLamp]

In other words a do-gooder who ended up in a position of power over other people's lives and money.     


How about just having objective appliers of law?    People can play Mother Teresa with their own lives and money.