James Robinson (North Dakota judge)

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James Robinson (May 11, 1843 – March 22, 1933) was a Justice of the North Dakota Supreme Court from 1917 to 1922.

Biography[]

Early years[]

Born in Michigan, Robinson began his education in Canada, where he taught school for a short time.[1]

He enlisted in the Union Army and served during the Civil War.[2]

Legal career[]

He graduated from the Michigan State University College of Law on March 5, 1868 and thereafter engaged in the private practice of law in Wisconsin until 1883, including a term as District Attorney of Trempealeau County.[1]

He then moved to Fargo, in the Dakota Territory, where he resumed his private practice until 1916, when, at the age of 73, he was elected to a six-year term on the North Dakota Supreme Court.

While serving as a Justice, he wrote a weekly "Saturday Evening Letter" column about the work of the court for the Bismarck Tribune.[2] He had an opposition to the doctrine of precedent and stare decisis, which attracted criticism upon his pratice.[3][4]

He became Chief Justice of North Dakota in 1921, but was defeated in a reelection attempt in 1922.

He then returned to the practice of law until poor health forced his retirement, in 1931.[1]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c North Dakota Supreme Court Justices: James Robinson, Justice of the Supreme Court, 1917-1922.
  2. ^ a b University of North Dakota, Judge J. E. Robinson Papers, 1916-1921.
  3. ^ Troesken, Werner (2015-06-29). The Pox of Liberty: How the Constitution Left Americans Rich, Free, and Prone to Infection. University of Chicago Press. p. 1. ISBN 978-0-226-92217-1.
  4. ^ Farnsworth, E. Allan (2010-07-16). An Introduction to the Legal System of the United States, Fourth Edition. Oxford University Press. p. 59. ISBN 978-0-19-974971-3.
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