David Henry Stahl
Judge Stahl no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Stahl decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
Treats state remedies as exhausted when settled state law leaves no avenue to test the asserted constitutional violation.
“Thus where it is clear that state law affords no remedy for a claimed assertion of violation of constitutional rights, state remedies may be considered exhausted under 28 U.S.C. § 2254.”
Applies the more permissive pre-sentence standard when a defendant seeks to withdraw a guilty plea before sentencing.
“we return this case to the lower court in order that it may apply the proper pre-sentence standard”
Procedural preferences
Resolves reasonable doubt against using a prior judgment as collateral estoppel.
“Reasonable doubt as to what was decided by a prior judgment should be resolved against using it as an estoppel.”
Requires federal habeas courts to obtain and examine available state records before deciding exhaustion.
“the district courts have the power, and the duty, to secure and examine all available state records before disposing of a habeas corpus petition.”
Cautions
Will not infer negligence causation where the record contains no reliable evidence of the fire's origin.
“There was no reliable indication as to the cause of the fire.”
Reads a trust's invasion power as a whole when determining estate-tax inclusion.
“The grant of the power must be read in its entirety”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“We affirm, but not directly on the grounds stated by the court below.”
“we return this case to the lower court in order that it may apply the proper pre-sentence standard and in its sound discretion grant or deny the appellant’s motion.”
“The order of the district court to dismiss the complaint will be affirmed.”
“We therefore affirm the judgment below as to appellee Moss, and remand the case to the district court with directions that the judgment with respect to the remaining appellees be vacated and leave granted to amend within such reasonable period after vacation of .the judgment as may be fixed by the court.”
“remand this appeal to the district court to determine from a fair appraisal of both of the state habeas corpus petitions filed by appellant, and the opinions which dismissed them, whether he had in fact raised all of the constitutional claims he now makes prior to seeking relief in the federal courts.”
A historical record
Judge Stahl no longer hears cases. This profile stays available as a record of how they ruled. If you're preparing for a matter, start from the court's current bench.