Nathaniel Raphael Jones
Judge Jones no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Jones decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
Treats denial of a government benefit as unconstitutional when the denial rests on protected speech.
“It may not deny a benefit to a person on a basis that infringes his constitutionally protected interests--especially, his interest in freedom of speech.”
Treats use of a short legislative-contact list in opposing public advocacy as fair use.
“We affirm, holding that HCF has made “fair use” of the list under the copyright statutes and therefore cannot be held liable.”
Rejects a categorical bankruptcy rule when the actual course of dealing shows late payments were ordinary between the parties.
“the late payments at issue constituted the ordinary practice between the parties.”
Procedural preferences
Requires a meaningful opportunity for discovery before summary judgment is entered against the nonmoving party.
“It follows that a grant of summary judgment is improper if the non-movant is given an insufficient opportunity for discovery.”
Limits immediate Social Security benefits awards to records that already establish entitlement without unresolved factual issues.
“Only if the record adequately establishes Plaintiffs entitlement to benefits may the lower court reverse the ALJ’s decision”
Confines consent searches to the scope actually authorized and requires a separate warrant exception for any broader intrusion.
“Because we find that the officers’ search exceeded the scope of the consent given, and because we find that no other exception to the warrant requirement applies”
Requires federal employees to timely exhaust administrative remedies before litigating employment-discrimination claims.
“The right to bring an action under Title VII regarding equal employment in the federal government is predicated upon the timely exhaustion of administrative remedies”
Cautions
Balances docket-management and prejudice concerns against the policy favoring decisions on the merits before dismissing for failure to prosecute.
“There are competing concerns which guide whether a court should dismiss an action for failure to prosecute.”
Applies the constitutional sufficiency test by asking whether any rational factfinder could find guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
“no rational trier of fact could have found proof of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“For the foregoing reasons, the grant of summary judgment to the defendants is REVERSED, and this case is remanded to the district court for further proceedings in accordance with this opinion.”
“AFFIRM the jury verdict but REMAND the jury award with instructions to reinstate the front pay portion at $282,392”
“Therefore, we reverse the district court's holding that there is no present case and controversy, vacate the court's order to dismissal and its denial of Plaintiff's motion for preliminary injunction, and we remand for further proceedings in accordance with this opinion.”
“For the foregoing reasons, we affirm that 42 U.S.C. Secs. 1396n(c)(2)(A), (B), (C), and (E), and 42 C.F.R. Secs. 441.302(a), (c), (d), and (f)(2) each confer a Sec. 1983 private right of action upon home care Medicaid recipients. We reverse the district court's holdings that Secs. 1396n(c)(2)(D), 1396n(f)(1), and 42 C.F.R. Sec. 441.303(f)(1) confer such rights.”
“Therefore, we AFFIRM the district court’s dismissal of American Eagle’s claims under Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(6).”
“After reviewing the trial record and considering the arguments raised on appeal, we affirm Alexander’s sentence.”
“Due to the forum selection clause in the parties’ contract, we AFFIRM the dismissal of this action without prejudice.”
“Accordingly, we AFFIRM the judgment of the district court.”
“For the foregoing reasons, we AFFIRM the district court’s denial of Dotson’s motion to suppress evidence and we AFFIRM Dotson’s conviction and sentence.”
A historical record
Judge Jones 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.