Dominic Augustin Hall
Encyclopedia
Dominic Augustin Hall was a United States federal judge
, appointed by two different presidents to four federal judicial positions.
Born in South Carolina
, Hall entered the private practice of law in Charleston, South Carolina
, in 1789.
On July 1, 1801, Hall received a recess appointment
from President Thomas Jefferson
to a new seat on the United States Circuit Court for the Fifth Circuit
created by the Midnight Judges Act (2 Stat. 89). Hall was confirmed by the United States Senate
, and received his commission, on January 26, 1802. However, Hall's judgeship was terminated when the court was abolished on July 1, 1802. Jefferson again nominated Hall to a judgeship on November 30, 1804, this time to a new seat created by 2 Stat. 283 on the United States District Court for the District of Orleans
, created to serve part of the territory recently acquired in the Louisiana Purchase
. Hall was confirmed by the Senate on November 30, 1804, and received his commission on December 11, 1804. His service was again terminated by the abolition of the court, this time on April 30, 1812, as Louisiana
became a state.
Hall was shortly thereafter nominated by President James Madison
, on May 27, 1812, to be a judge on the United States District Court for the District of Louisiana, a new seat created by 2 Stat. 701. Hall was confirmed by the Senate on May 28, 1812, and received his commission on June 1, 1812. On February 22, 1813, Hall resigned to become a judge of the Louisiana Supreme Court
. However, he only held the position until May 1813, serving as that court's first Chief Judge. On May 29, 1813, Madison renominated Hall to the District of Louisiana, to the same seat that Hall had vacated. Hall was confirmed by the Senate for the final time on June 1, 1813, receiving his commission that day. He remained in office until his death, in New Orleans, Louisiana
.
United States federal judge
In the United States, the title of federal judge usually means a judge appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate in accordance with Article II of the United States Constitution....
, appointed by two different presidents to four federal judicial positions.
Born in South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, Hall entered the private practice of law in Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
, in 1789.
On July 1, 1801, Hall received a recess appointment
Recess appointment
A recess appointment is the appointment, by the President of the United States, of a senior federal official while the U.S. Senate is in recess. The U.S. Constitution requires that the most senior federal officers must be confirmed by the Senate before assuming office, but while the Senate is in...
from President Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom , the third President of the United States and founder of the University of Virginia...
to a new seat on the United States Circuit Court for the Fifth Circuit
United States circuit court
The United States circuit courts were the original intermediate level courts of the United States federal court system. They were established by the Judiciary Act of 1789. They had trial court jurisdiction over civil suits of diversity jurisdiction and major federal crimes. They also had appellate...
created by the Midnight Judges Act (2 Stat. 89). Hall 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...
, and received his commission, on January 26, 1802. However, Hall's judgeship was terminated when the court was abolished on July 1, 1802. Jefferson again nominated Hall to a judgeship on November 30, 1804, this time to a new seat created by 2 Stat. 283 on the United States District Court for the District of Orleans
United States District Court for the District of Orleans
The United States District Court for the District of Orleans was a United States district court created on March 26, 1804, by 2 Stat. 283, to resolve disputes in the Territory of Orleans, the portion of the Louisiana Purchase south of the 33rd parallel....
, created to serve part of the territory recently acquired in the Louisiana Purchase
Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase was the acquisition by the United States of America of of France's claim to the territory of Louisiana in 1803. The U.S...
. Hall was confirmed by the Senate on November 30, 1804, and received his commission on December 11, 1804. His service was again terminated by the abolition of the court, this time on April 30, 1812, as Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
became a state.
Hall was shortly thereafter nominated by President James Madison
James Madison
James Madison, Jr. was an American statesman and political theorist. He was the fourth President of the United States and is hailed as the “Father of the Constitution” for being the primary author of the United States Constitution and at first an opponent of, and then a key author of the United...
, on May 27, 1812, to be a judge on the United States District Court for the District of Louisiana, a new seat created by 2 Stat. 701. Hall was confirmed by the Senate on May 28, 1812, and received his commission on June 1, 1812. On February 22, 1813, Hall resigned to become a judge of the Louisiana Supreme Court
Louisiana Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of Louisiana is the highest court and court of last resort in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The modern Supreme Court, composed of seven justices, meets in the French Quarter of New Orleans....
. However, he only held the position until May 1813, serving as that court's first Chief Judge. On May 29, 1813, Madison renominated Hall to the District of Louisiana, to the same seat that Hall had vacated. Hall was confirmed by the Senate for the final time on June 1, 1813, receiving his commission that day. He remained in office until his death, in New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
.