Robert Daniel Potter
Encyclopedia
Robert Daniel Potter was a United States federal judge
.
Born in Wilmington, North Carolina
, Potter was in the United States Army
during World War II
, from 1944 to 1947. He received an A.B.
from Duke University
in 1947 and an LL.B. from Duke University School of Law
in 1950. He was in private practice in Charlotte, North Carolina
from 1951 to 1981. He was a Commissioner, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina from 1966 to 1968.
Potter was a federal judge on the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina
. Potter was nominated by President Ronald Reagan
on October 1, 1981, to a new seat created by 92 Stat. 1629. He was confirmed by the United States Senate
on October 29, 1981, and received his commission the same day. He was known as "Maximum Bob" for handing out maximum sentences in convictions and was the judge in the trial of defrocked televangelist Jim Bakker
. He served as chief judge from 1984-1991. He assumed senior status
on May 1, 1994. On July 2, 2009, Judge Potter died.
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....
.
Born in Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington is a port city in and is the county seat of New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States. The population is 106,476 according to the 2010 Census, making it the eighth most populous city in the state of North Carolina...
, Potter was in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, from 1944 to 1947. He received an A.B.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
from Duke University
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
in 1947 and an LL.B. from Duke University School of Law
Duke University School of Law
The Duke University School of Law is the law school and a constituent academic unit of Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States. One of Duke's 10 schools and colleges, the School of Law began as the Trinity College School of Law in 1868. In 1924, following the renaming of Trinity...
in 1950. He was in private practice in Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
from 1951 to 1981. He was a Commissioner, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina from 1966 to 1968.
Potter was a federal judge on the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina
United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina
The United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina is a Federal district court which covers the western third of North Carolina....
. Potter was nominated by President Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
on October 1, 1981, to a new seat created by 92 Stat. 1629. 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 29, 1981, and received his commission the same day. He was known as "Maximum Bob" for handing out maximum sentences in convictions and was the judge in the trial of defrocked televangelist Jim Bakker
Jim Bakker
James Orsen "Jim" Bakker is an American televangelist, a former Assemblies of God minister, and a former host of The PTL Club, a popular evangelical Christian television program.A sex scandal led to his resignation from the ministry...
. He served as chief judge from 1984-1991. He assumed senior status
Senior status
Senior status is a form of semi-retirement for United States federal judges, and judges in some state court systems. After federal judges have reached a certain combination of age and years of service on the federal courts, they are allowed to assume senior status...
on May 1, 1994. On July 2, 2009, Judge Potter died.