Charles J. Siragusa
Encyclopedia
Charles J. Siragusa is a judge in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York in Rochester
.
in 1969 and his Juris Doctor degree in 1976 from Albany Law School
.
from 1977-1992 where he rose to the rank of First Assistant District Attorney.
During his time as First Assistant District Attorney, Siragusa successfully prosecuted Arthur Shawcross
, also known as The Genesee River Killer. Shawcross had killed eleven victims starting in 1988 before his capture less than two years later in January 1990. Shawcross died November 10, 2008 while serving a life sentence.
On July 15, 1997, President Bill Clinton
nominated Siragusa to the Federal Court to a seat vacated by Michael Anthony Telesca
. He was confirmed by the United States Senate
on October 30, 1997, and received his commission on November 5, 1997. He continues to hold that post today.
by opening its meetings with a brief prayer. The judge signed an order that tossed out a lawsuit filed by two residents of the town of who had complained that prayers held at the start of town council
meetings favored Christian
s and violated the separation of church and state
. Siragusa noted that government bodies throughout the country routinely invite religious leaders to make invocations at the start of public meetings. He said those prayers are acceptable as long as the town body isn't proselytizing
or advancing any one faith at the expense of others. The town of Greece said they welcome people of any faith to give the prayer.
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
.
Education
Siragusa received his bachelor's degree from Le Moyne CollegeLe Moyne College
Le Moyne College, named after Simon Le Moyne, is a private, Jesuit college enrolling over 3,500 undergraduate and graduate students. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1946, Le Moyne is the first Jesuit college to be founded as a co-educational institution...
in 1969 and his Juris Doctor degree in 1976 from Albany Law School
Albany Law School
Albany Law School is an ABA accredited law school based in Albany, New York. It was founded in 1851 by Amos Dean , Amasa Parker, Ira Harris and others....
.
Legal career
Siragusa served as an Assistant District Attorney in Monroe CountyMonroe County, New York
Monroe County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 744,344. It is named after James Monroe, fifth President of the United States of America. Its county seat is the city of Rochester....
from 1977-1992 where he rose to the rank of First Assistant District Attorney.
During his time as First Assistant District Attorney, Siragusa successfully prosecuted Arthur Shawcross
Arthur Shawcross
Arthur John Shawcross was an American serial killer, also known as The Genesee River Killer in Rochester, New York...
, also known as The Genesee River Killer. Shawcross had killed eleven victims starting in 1988 before his capture less than two years later in January 1990. Shawcross died November 10, 2008 while serving a life sentence.
Judicial service
In 1993, Siragusa was elected as a New York State Supreme Court Justice in the Seventh Judicial District where he served for four years.On July 15, 1997, President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
nominated Siragusa to the Federal Court to a seat vacated by Michael Anthony Telesca
Michael Anthony Telesca
Michael Anthony Telesca is a United States federal judge.Born in Rochester, New York, Telesca received a B.A. from the University of Rochester in 1952 and an LL.B. from the University of Buffalo Law School in 1955. He was a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1955 to 1957. He was in...
. He was confirmed by the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
on October 30, 1997, and received his commission on November 5, 1997. He continues to hold that post today.
Notable rulings
In August 2010, Siragusa ruled that the town board of Greece, New York did not commit a constitutional violationConstitutionality
Constitutionality is the condition of acting in accordance with an applicable constitution. Acts that are not in accordance with the rules laid down in the constitution are deemed to be ultra vires.-See also:*ultra vires*Company law*Constitutional law...
by opening its meetings with a brief prayer. The judge signed an order that tossed out a lawsuit filed by two residents of the town of who had complained that prayers held at the start of town council
Town council
A town council is a democratically elected form of government for small municipalities or civil parishes. A council may serve as both the representative and executive branch....
meetings favored Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
s and violated the separation of church and state
Separation of church and state in the United States
The phrase "separation of church and state" , attributed to Thomas Jefferson and others, and since quoted by the Supreme Court of the United States, expresses an understanding of the intent and function of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States...
. Siragusa noted that government bodies throughout the country routinely invite religious leaders to make invocations at the start of public meetings. He said those prayers are acceptable as long as the town body isn't proselytizing
Proselytism
Proselytizing is the act of attempting to convert people to another opinion and, particularly, another religion. The word proselytize is derived ultimately from the Greek language prefix προσ- and the verb ἔρχομαι in the form of προσήλυτος...
or advancing any one faith at the expense of others. The town of Greece said they welcome people of any faith to give the prayer.