Jeter Connelly Pritchard

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit circuit Deceased · served 1904–1921 Appointed by Theodore Roosevelt (Republican) 25 signed orders read

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

How Judge Pritchard decides

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

What persuades

Requires a bankrupt seeking discharge to demonstrate honest conduct and clean hands.

“A bankrupt, in order to be entitled to a discharge, must come into court with clean hands, and show that his conduct has been that of an honest, upright man.”

Declines to impose assumed risk when an employee requested a safety device and relied on the foreman's assurance that it was unnecessary.

“the plaintiff did not assume the risk occasioned by the failure of the company to furnish a “deadman” for his protection at the time he was injured.”

Procedural preferences

Treats adherence to procedural form as a safeguard against uncertainty and delay.

“The want of due form constitutes a just' objection to the proceedings in every court of justice”

Leaves discretionary new-trial decisions outside appellate review.

“the granting or refusing of such motion is in the discretion of the trial judge, and therefore not reviewable.”

Cautions

Requires a knowingly false statement, not merely an erroneous one, before denying a bankruptcy discharge on that ground.

“‘False means that which is not true, coupled with a lying intent.’”

Signed rulings

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

Union Bank of Richmond v. Oxford & C. L. R.
· 1906-02-07
Appeal (bank-appellant) Granted

“The judgment of the Circuit Court is reversed, and the case remanded to that court with instructions to set aside the verdict and award a new trial, and to proceed thereafter in conformity with the views herein expressed. Reversed.”

Oxford & Coast Line R. v. Union Bank of Richmond
· 1907-04-10
Appeal (railroad-appellant) Denied

“It follows that the judgment of the court below must be affirmed. Affirmed.”

Norfolk & W. Ry. Co. v. Beckett
· 1908-07-27
Appeal (railroad-appellant) Denied

“The decision of the court below is affirmed. Affirmed.”

Chess v. Grant
· 1908-07-30
Appeal (ejectment-plaintiff-appellant) Denied

“For the reasons herein stated, the judgment of the Circuit Court is affirmed. Affirmed.”

Walker Roofing & Heating Co., Inc. v. Merchant & Evans Co.
· 1909-07-13
Appeal (company-appellant) Granted

“the judgment of the lower court is reversed, and the case is remanded with instructions to proceed in accordance with the views herein expressed. Reversed.”

Houston Coal & Coke Co. v. Norfolk & W. Ry. Co.
· 1910-02-14
Appeal (coal-company-appellant) Denied

“Aiiirmed.”

Burdette v. Jackson
· 1910-05-04
Appeal (petitioner-appellant) Denied

“For the reasons stated, the judgment of the court below is affirmed.”

In re James
· 1910-07-16
Appeal (bankrupt-appellant) Denied

“the judgment of the lower court is affirmed.”

Hamburg-American Steam Packet Co. v. Baker
· 1911-02-07
Appeal (steamship-company-appellant) Denied

“For the reasons stated, tlie decree of the lower court is affirmed”

Elkins Electric Ry. Co. v. Western Maryland Ry. Co.
· 1911-05-02
Appeal (railway-appellant) Denied

“Ifor the reasons stated, the decree of the lower court is affirmed.”

Lawton v. Carpenter
· 1912-02-15
Appeal (defendant-appellant) Denied

“Under such circumstances, as there was some evidence supporting the judgment below, we must affirm. Affirmed.”

Eure v. Sabiston
· 1912-04-12
Appeal (defendant-appellant) Granted

“the judgment of the lower court is reversed, and the case is remanded, with instructions to the lower court to grant a new- trial”

A historical record

Judge Pritchard 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.