Truman McGill Hobbs
How Judge Hobbs rules, drawn from 28 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Judge Hobbs no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled here.
About Judge Hobbs
Truman McGill Hobbs was a judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama. Appointed by President Jimmy Carter, Judge Hobbs received a commission on April 3, 1980. Judge Hobbs assumed senior status on February 11, 1991 and served until death on November 4, 2015.
How Judge Hobbs decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
He protected the traditional jury-trial right when Congress had not expressly withdrawn it.
“the right to a jury trial is too basic and fundamental in this nation’s legal system to construe Congressional silence as depriving litigants of a jury trial right”
He required search-warrant affidavits to state the probable-cause basis clearly enough for meaningful judicial review.
“they must strive to write clear and concise affidavits that provide sufficient information for a reviewing magistrate to determine if probable cause exists to justify a search.”
Procedural preferences
He considered the practical cost of forcing premature satellite litigation when damages were not yet fixed.
“Judges need not ignore the realities of life and court calendars are not so bare that judges need to force the filing of suits which may ultimately prove a waste of time and money to all concerned.”
He enforced statutory benefit limits even when the underlying recovery mechanism had been approved administratively.
“a waiver shall not be approved when it ‘would result in material impairment of any statutory or regulatory rights of participants or potential participants.”
Cautions
He treated false financial filings as conduct that could justify severe dismissal sanctions.
“False and forged documents prevent the courts from considering in an intelligent manner a petition for in forma pauperis status.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“defendants’ motion for summary judgment is due to be granted.”
“the Court concludes that plaintiff’s claim should be denied.”
“defendant’s motion to strike plaintiff’s demand for a jury trial be and the same is hereby denied.”
“plaintiff’s petition for attorney fees should be denied.”
“defendant’s motion to dismiss should be denied.”
“plaintiff’s complaint in this case be and the same is hereby dismissed with prejudice.”
“defendants’ motion to dismiss be and the same is hereby granted.”
“plaintiff’s motion for stay of state court proceedings, filed herein on December 11, 1980, be and the same is hereby denied.”
“defendant’s motion to dismiss should be denied.”
“defendant’s motion for summary judgment is granted.”
“plaintiff have and receive nothing on his claim for attorney’s fees”
“costs be taxed against defendant.”
“defendants’ motions to dismiss be and the same are hereby granted.”
“the Court will deny respondents’ motions on the condition that petitioners amend ‘ their petitions to add the appropriate warden as a party respondent.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
The located writings span civil rights, jurisdiction, federal benefits, insurance, habeas corpus, criminal procedure, employment, taxation, and administrative review. They do not establish the distribution of Hobbs's full caseload.
Pending matters in the official report
Reported by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts under the Civil Justice Reform Act, as of March 31, 2026.
| Motions pending more than six months | 0 |
| Bench trials submitted more than six months | 0 |
| Bankruptcy appeals pending more than six months | 0 |
| Social Security appeals pending more than six months | 0 |
| Civil cases pending more than three years | 0 |
| Report | Motions over six months | Cases over three years |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 2024 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 2024 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 2023 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 2023 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 2022 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 2022 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 2021 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 2021 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 2020 | 0 | 0 |
A snapshot on that date: matters listed may since have been decided or reassigned. A motion referred to a magistrate judge is counted for both judges. Motions in multidistrict litigation, section 2255 cases and Social Security appeals are not counted, and a very large three-year count is generally a multidistrict docket. Source: Appendix A of the report (PDF); about the report.
A historical record
Judge Hobbs no longer hears cases. This profile stays available as a record of how they ruled here. If you're preparing for a matter, start from the court's current bench.