William H. Becker
How Judge Becker rules, drawn from 25 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Judge Becker no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Becker decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
In Turbyfill, Becker required the government to establish the legality of a challenged search through credible evidence rather than presumption.
“the burden of proof rests firmly with the government.”
Procedural preferences
In Taylor, Becker declined to decide a fact-dependent contractual defense on the face of the complaint and directed the defendant to use summary judgment.
“The more appropriate method of raising the claim of this motion to dismiss based on contractual limitations is by a motion for summary judgment”
Cautions
In American Standard, Becker required a transfer movant to identify necessary witnesses and explain their expected testimony.
“if the party moving for transfer under § 1404(a) merely makes a general allegation that witnesses will be necessary, without identifying those necessary witnesses and indicating what their testimony at trial will be, the motion- for transfer based on convenience of witnesses will be denied.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“It is therefore Ordered that the motion to dismiss be, and it is hereby, denied without prejudice to the merits of the asserted defense of defendant.”
“the defect complained of in defendant’s motion to dismiss or in the alternative for a more definite statement was cured by the filing, with leave of Court, of plaintiff’s first amended complaint on October 18, 1963, and that motion is now moot.”
“it is Ordered that defendant’s motion to quash be, and the same is hereby, overruled.”
“Therefore it is Ordered that the motion to dismiss be, and the same is hereby, denied.”
“For the foregoing reasons, it is Ordered that this cause be, and it is hereby, remanded to the Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri.”
“It is therefore Ordered that defendant Marge Bowen’s motion for summary judgment be, and the same is hereby, denied.”
“It is further Ordered that plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment be, and the same is hereby, denied.”
“It is therefore Ordered, in accordance with Rule 42(a) of the Rules of Appellate Procedure, that petitioner’s appeal be, and the same is hereby, dismissed.”
“It is therefore Ordered and adjudged that this cause be, and it is hereby, dismissed for failure to state a claim under the Federal Civil Rights Act.”
“It is therefore Ordered that this bankruptcy estate be, and it is hereby, reopened and remanded to the referee for treatment consistent with this opinion.”
“It is therefore Ordered that defendant’s motion for summary judgment be, and it is hereby, granted.”
“It is further Ordered that the petition herein for habeas corpus be, and it is hereby, dismissed without prejudice.”
“It is further Ordered that the petition herein for habeas corpus be, and it is hereby, dismissed without prejudice.”
“It is further Ordered and adjudged that the complaint herein be, and it is hereby, dismissed for lack of jurisdiction.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
No assigned docket records were returned under five plausible Becker name variants.
A historical record
Judge Becker 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.