William Truslow Newman
Judge Newman no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Newman decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
Newman treated notice, rather than technical perfection, as central when deciding whether a recorded lien should prevail in bankruptcy.
“I think the record of this mortgage was sufficient to give notice to a prudent purchaser”
He followed controlling state law on local taxation while separating an invalid school levy from other lawful taxes.
“The court dislikes to prevent a county from collecting its taxes, but the case is controlled by the decision of the Supreme Court of the state”
Procedural preferences
He denied rehearing when a party knew its proposed evidence before decision and waited until after the opinion to present it.
“the motion for a rehearing must be denied because of the laches of the defendant”
He required a plenary action, rather than summary bankruptcy process, when a third party asserted a substantial adverse title claim.
“it was not a case for proceeding summarily, but was a case in which a plenary suit was necessary.”
Cautions
He enforced statutory claim deadlines even where a late claimant might otherwise have faced offsets on the merits.
“The whole of the matter is that the claim came too late.”
He refused to strike a pleaded defense before the proponent had a fair opportunity to be heard on the question it raised.
“it does raise, by proper pleadings, a question on which it is entitled to be heard.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“I am of the opinion that tlie cleric is entitled to recover tills item of $60.45.”
“the clerk is entitled to recover that item.”
“The foregoing items, which have been allowed, aggregate $87.45”
“he is entitled to charge therefor, the same as he would for writing in any other record”
“I do not think that this is a proper charge against the government, nor do I think it can he allowed.”
“I see no reason whatever why this item is not proper, and it is allowed.”
“An order .may be taken reaffirming the order already made in this case, denying the $1,600 exemption”
“this application for discharge under habeas corpus must be denied, and the petitioner be remanded to the custody of the warden”
“The action of the referee is disapproved, and the mortgage held to be entitled to proof as such.”
“I think the referee decided the case correctly, and his action is approved and confirmed.”
“In my opinion, the application for an exemption on the part of this bankrupt must be denied.”
“The decision of the referee is approved and confirmed.”
“the motion for a rehearing must be denied because of the laches of the defendant”
“I think the injunction should remain in force as to the school tax”
“It is clear to me that it is the duty of the court to pass upon the sufficiency of this service without the aid of a jury.”
“his action in allowing the claim of the Lamar, Taylor & Riley Drug Company as a secured claim is sustained.”
“the motion to dismiss must be sustained, and a decree to that effect may be taken.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
The reviewed decisions predate electronic case-level dockets. The profile therefore makes no claim about complete caseload mix, case duration, administrative dispositions, or motion timing.
A historical record
Judge Newman 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.