William Henry Sawtelle
Judge Sawtelle no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Sawtelle decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
When reviewing a verdict supported by evidence, Sawtelle viewed the proof favorably to the prevailing party and asked whether any substantial evidence supported the findings.
“must view the evidence in the light most favorable to the appellee, and must affirm the findings and conclusions of the trial court if they are supported by any substantial evidence.”
After a limited reversal, he treated issues outside the mandate as settled and confined the remand to the task the earlier decision authorized.
“No retrial was ordered on any other issue”
Procedural preferences
Sawtelle declined to review evidentiary claims when the record had not been authenticated through the required appellate mechanism.
“There is nothing properly before us for review, and, consequently, the judgment of the lower court must be affirmed.”
He reserved plain-error review for defects apparent and serious enough to justify considering questions that had not been properly presented.
“the record before us discloses no such plain error as would justify us in considering or discussing the questions not properly presented on this appeal.”
Cautions
In immigration habeas review, Sawtelle would not reweigh the administrative record when the officials' factual decision had evidentiary support.
“it is not within our province to weigh the evidence.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“With, this modification, the decree is affirmed.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
Not applicable to this circuit-court record.
A historical record
Judge Sawtelle 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.