Joseph Winston Cox
Judge Cox no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Cox decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
He construed workers’ compensation claim requirements liberally where an informal filing clearly conveyed an intent to seek statutory benefits.
“Such statutes are to be interpreted with liberality, ‘to the end of securing the benefits which it was intended to accomplish’”
Evidence that prior references did not teach the claimed solution, together with practical and substantial advantages, supported patentability.
“The evidence is convincing that Smith taught something new and of practical and substantial advantage in the art.”
Cautions
He applied Congress’s privacy-protective rule against intercepted communications even where exclusion could allow some offenders to avoid conviction.
“Congress may have thought it less important that some offenders should go unwhipped of justice than that officers should resort to methods deemed inconsistent with ethical standards and destructive of personal liberty.”
He declined to impose liability for naturally forming ice while a severe winter storm was still in progress.
“the happening of the accident while the storm was in progress and at its height would seem to be a material factor distinguishing this case from those relied on by the plaintiff.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“The motion to dismiss the bill is granted, with leave to plaintiff to amend in ten days if so advised; otherwise decree to be settled on two days’ notice.”
“The verdict and judgment for plaintiff are set aside and judgment will be entered for the defendant as upon a verdict directed in its favor.”
“The motions of the defendants .are granted.”
“Accordingly, damages in the sum of $250 should be awarded and assessed in favor of the defendant against the plaintiff and its surety on the bond.”
“The motions to dismiss the bill are accordingly denied.”
“The plaintiff and defendant Milton Rubin to pay the costs incurred by each respectively, and plaintiff to have lien for handling charges and also for storage charges except for the period of seven months above mentioned.”
“The motion for a rehearing is accordingly granted.”
“And it is held, in conformity with the opinion of the Court of Appeals, that the original petition herein should be dismissed.”
“To remove any misunderstanding it is held that the language just quoted from the memorandum opinion is to be extended to authorize consideration by the Secretary, not only of the amount paid on account of the purchase price, but also the entire contract for the purchase of the land, which provided for payments in interest bearing installments.”
“The bill is accordingly dismissed. Settle decree on notice.”
“The plaintiff’s demurrer to the plea in abatement in this cause is accordingly sustained.”
“It is considered that the administrator is entitled to receive the note from the bank and to have a decree in his favor accordingly.”
A historical record
Judge Cox 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.