Nathan Goff Jr.
Judge Goff no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Goff decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
Looks to commercial reality and the absence of evasion when applying a forfeiture statute.
“No attempt to evade the law, either directly, indirectly or by subterfuge, has been shown;”
Rejects an exclusive trade-name claim when the seller accurately described the product's geographic origin and practiced no deception.
“The proof does not show that the appellant has practiced any deception upon the public, or that he has perpetrated any fraud upon the appellees.”
Procedural preferences
Treats discretionary case-management decisions as unsuitable for interlocutory appeal or mandamus.
“No appeal lies from such discretionary action of the court below.”
Requires parties to await a final decree before seeking appellate review through an extraordinary writ.
“But, be that as it may, the only way this court can review them is by appeal after they have been passed upon by that court.”
Cautions
Protects lawful advocacy and association unless the conduct crosses a legal boundary.
“It was for them to decide where their sympathies should go, and so long as their efforts to aid were kept within the limits prescribed by law, they were free to act on their own volition, without fear of molestation by any one, or by any court.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“the same is hereby, reversed, with costs, and the cause is remanded to the District Court of the United States for the Western District of North Carolina, at Asheville, with directions to set aside the order of adjudication and dismiss the petition filed therein, at the costs of the petitioners.”
“There is no error in the decree complained of. and the same is affirmed.”
“that the appeal of Elias E. Ries be, and the same is hereby, dismissed, without prejudice to the rights of either party in the court below”
“The rule to show cause will therefore be dismissed, and the writ asked for will be refused.”
“There is error in the decree appealed from, and it is reversed, and this cause is remanded to the court below with instructions to dismiss the hill. Reversed.”
“the judgment of the circuit court will be reversed, and the petitioner will be discharged from arrest.”
“The decree complained of is without error and the same is affirmed.”
A historical record
Judge Goff 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.