Ferdinand Francis Fernandez (born May 29, 1937) is a Senior United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and a former United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of California.

Ferdinand Fernandez
Senior Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Assumed office
June 1, 2002
Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
In office
May 22, 1989 – June 1, 2002
Appointed byGeorge H. W. Bush
Preceded byWarren J. Ferguson
Succeeded byConsuelo Callahan
Judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of California
In office
October 17, 1985 – May 24, 1989
Appointed byRonald Reagan
Preceded bySeat established by 98 Stat. 333
Succeeded byGary L. Taylor
Judge of the San Bernardino County Superior Court
In office
June 1980 – November 1985[1]
Personal details
Born
Ferdinand Francis Fernandez

(1937-05-29) May 29, 1937 (age 86)
Pasadena, California
SpousePriscilla McMillen[1]
EducationUniversity of Southern California (BS, JD)
Harvard University (LLM)

Education and career edit

Born in Pasadena, California, Fernandez received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Southern California in 1958, a Juris Doctor from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law in 1962, and a Master of Laws from Harvard Law School in 1963. He was a law clerk for Judge William M. Byrne of the United States District Court for the Central District of California from 1963 to 1964, thereafter entering private practice in Pomona, California until 1980. He was a judge of the San Bernardino County State Superior Court of California from 1980 to 1985.[2]

Federal judicial service edit

On July 19, 1985, Fernandez was nominated by President Ronald Reagan to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Central District of California created by 98 Stat. 333. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 16, 1985, and received his commission on October 17, 1985. His service terminated on May 24, 1989, due to elevation to the court of appeals.[2]

Fernandez was nominated by President George H. W. Bush on February 28, 1989, for elevation to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit vacated by Judge Warren John Ferguson. Fernandez was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 18, 1989, and received his commission on May 22, 1989. He assumed senior status on June 1, 2002.[3][2]

Notable cases edit

On February 28, 2020, Fernandez dissented when the 9th circuit ruled 2-1 that Trump's administration could not force asylum applicants to wait in Mexico while their court proceedings went on.[4][5] On March 11, 2020, the Supreme Court agreed with Fernandez and permitted Trump's "Remain-in-Mexico" policy to continue.[6]

On April 7, 2020, Fernandez dissented when the 9th circuit ruled 2–1, in an opinion by Milan Smith, that immigrants that have been detained for 6 months or more must be given bond hearings. Fernandez argued that the mode of analysis the majority used was plainly wrong.[7]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b Confirmation hearings on federal appointments : hearings before the Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, One Hundred First Congress ... on confirmation hearings on appointments to the federal judiciary .... 4.J 89/2:S.hrg.101-651/ pt.1 (1991)
  2. ^ a b c "Fernandez, Ferdinand Francis - Federal Judicial Center". www.fjc.gov.
  3. ^ Unterburger, Amy L.; Delgado, Jane L. (3 June 1994). Who's who Among Hispanic Americans. Gale Research. ISBN 9780810385504 – via Google Books.
  4. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-04-19. Retrieved 2020-04-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. ^ https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2020/03/04/19-15716.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  6. ^ "Supreme Court allows Trump to enforce 'Remain in Mexico' policy". 11 March 2020.
  7. ^ https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2020/04/07/18-16465.pdf [bare URL PDF]

Sources edit

Legal offices
Preceded by
Seat established by 98 Stat. 333
Judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of California
1985–1989
Succeeded by
Preceded by Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
1989–2002
Succeeded by