Donna F. Martinez
How Judge Martinez rules, drawn from 11 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Judge Martinez no longer sits on this court. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled here.
About Judge Martinez
Donna F. Martinez has served as a U.S. magistrate judge for the District of Connecticut since 1994, sitting in Hartford. She earned her undergraduate, social work and law degrees from the University of Connecticut.
How Judge Martinez decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Procedural preferences
She adjudicates Social Security appeals on the parties' Section 636(c) consent, entering final judgment that reverses or remands the Commissioner's decision where it is not supported and affirms it where it is.
“plaintiff’s motion to reverse the decision of the Commissioner (doc. #14) is GRANTED”
Cautions
She recommends denial of summary judgment without prejudice where the movant has not satisfied the procedural prerequisites, permitting a properly supported motion to be refiled.
“For these reasons, the plaintiff's motion (doc. #69) for summary judgment should be denied without prejudice.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
Notice and order on plaintiffs' motion for sanctions (alleged fraud on the court: a claimed $200 witness bribery to obtain a false affidavit on vaccine protocols). Martinez reserved decision pending an evidentiary hearing (applying the clear-and-convincing-evidence standard for fraud on the court and reciting the In re Dynex five-factor dismissal-sanction test). No outcome was decided here; the decision was deferred. The order states: 'The court reserves decision on plaintiffs' motion for sanctions pending an evidentiary hearing.'
“the Court APPROVES AND ACCEPTS United States Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez's Recommended Ruling [doc. # 22], GRANTS the Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings [doc. # 12]”
“and DENIES the Motion for an Order Affirming the Decision of the Commissioner [doc. # 17]. The Clerk is directed to enter judgment for Plaintiff in accordance with Magistrate Martinez's Recommended Ruling”
“For these reasons, the plaintiff's motion (doc. #69) for summary judgment should be denied without prejudice.”
“the plaintiff’s motion to reverse and/or remand the Commissioner’s decision (doc. #19) is granted”
“the defendant’s motion to affirm the decision of the Commissioner (doc. #20) is denied.”
“the plaintiff’s motion to reverse and/or remand the Commissioner’s decision (doc. #22) is denied”
“the plaintiff’s motion to reverse and/or remand the Commissioner’s decision (doc. #22) is denied and the [defendant’s motion to affirm ... granted]”
“plaintiff’s motion to reverse the decision of the Commissioner (doc. #14) is GRANTED”
“defendant’s motion to affirm the decision of the Commissioner (doc. #16) is DENIED.”
“plaintiff’s motion is GRANTED and defendant’s motion is DENIED.”
“plaintiff’s application is GRANTED IN PART.”
“plaintiff’s motion is DENIED and defendant’s motion is GRANTED.”
“the plaintiff’s motion for a new trial (doc. #210) is denied.”
“the plaintiff’s motion to reverse or remand (doc. #7) should be denied”
“the defendant’s motion to affirm (doc. #10) should be granted.”
Pending matters in the official report
Reported by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts under the Civil Justice Reform Act, as of March 31, 2026.
| Motions pending more than six months | 0 |
| Bench trials submitted more than six months | 0 |
| Bankruptcy appeals pending more than six months | 0 |
| Social Security appeals pending more than six months | 0 |
| Civil cases pending more than three years | 0 |
| Report | Motions over six months | Cases over three years |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 2024 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 2024 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 2023 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 2023 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 2022 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 2022 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 2021 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 2021 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 2020 | 0 | 0 |
A snapshot on that date: matters listed may since have been decided or reassigned. A motion referred to a magistrate judge is counted for both judges. Motions in multidistrict litigation, section 2255 cases and Social Security appeals are not counted, and a very large three-year count is generally a multidistrict docket. Source: Appendix A of the report (PDF); about the report.
A historical record
Judge Martinez no longer sits on this court. This profile stays available as a record of how they ruled here. If you're preparing for a matter, start from the court's current bench.