Edmund Waddill Jr.

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit circuit Deceased · served 1921–1931 Appointed by Warren G. Harding (Republican) 25 signed orders read

Judge Waddill no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.

How Judge Waddill decides

Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.

What persuades

Defers to trial findings based on live testimony unless they are plainly wrong.

“the testimony was taken orally before the court, unless the same are plainly wrong.”

Treats seamen's wages and injuries as a traditional special concern of admiralty jurisdiction.

“Their wages, their rights, their wrongs and injuries have always been a special subject of the admiralty jurisdiction.”

Procedural preferences

Enforces the statutory appeal deadline in bankruptcy matters and does not allow alternate forms to evade it.

“if this time could be evaded or enlarged in the way here attempted, it would be equivalent to cutting off all limitation of time”

Leaves a supported jury verdict undisturbed unless the record entirely lacks supporting testimony.

“we should not disturb their verdict, unless there was an entire lack of testimony to support the same”

Cautions

Requires proof of each statutory element when nonpayment of tax is the essence of the offense.

“where nonpayment of the tax is the essence of the offense, the proof clearly failed to establish such nonpayment”

Signed rulings

A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.

Baker-Whiteley Coal Co. v. Chesapeake S. S. Co.
· 1922-07-05
Appeal (tug-owner-appellant) Denied

“The decree of the District Court will be affirmed, with costs to appellant, claimant of the Britannia. Affirmed.”

Hester v. United States
· 1922-11-08
Appeal (criminal-defendant-appellant) Granted

“there should be a reversal of the decision of the lower court. Reversed.”

United States v. Rapid Coaling & Transfer Co.
· 1923-04-10
Appeal (United States-appellant) Granted

“the decree of the lower court should he reversed, and the libel dismissed. Reversed,”

Adams v. Direzione Generale Combustibili
· 1923-05-01
Appeal (shipowner-appellant) Denied

“The decrees of that court in the respective cases will be affirmed, with costs. Affirmed.”

United State v. Miller
· 1923-05-18
Appeal (United States-appellant) Granted

“The decision of the lower court will be reversed. Reversed.”

Struthers & Dixon, Inc. v. Green Star S. S. Corp.
· 1923-07-03
Appeal (repairer-appellant) Denied

“The decree appealed from will accordingly be affirmed.”

Federal Reserve Bank v. Malloy
· 1923-07-12
Appeal (bank-appellant) Denied

“The decision of the District Court will be affirmed with costs. Affirmed.”

Detroit Edison Co. v. Main Island Creek Coal Co.
· 1923-11-06
Appeal (buyer-appellant) Denied

“Affirmed.”

Empire Machinery & Supply Corp. v. Groner
· 1923-12-03
Petition for writ (petitioners) Denied

“The petition for mandamus will be denied, at thp cost of the petitioners.”

Smithey v. Robertson
· 1924-05-06
Appeal (patent-owner-appellant) Denied

“The decision of the District Court appealed from will be affirmed, with costs. Affirmed.”

Ash v. States
· 1924-05-20
Appeal (criminal-defendant-appellant) Granted in part

“The judgment of the District Court will be reversed, and a new trial awarded, so far as the second count of the information is concerned, and will be affirmed under the first count”

Davis v. Dexter & Carpenter, Inc.
· 1924-09-29
Appeal (carrier-appellant) Denied

“The judgment of the District Court is hereby affirmed. Affirmed.”

A historical record

Judge Waddill 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.