William Hiram Brawley
How Judge Brawley rules, drawn from 25 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Judge Brawley no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Brawley decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
In Blalock, Brawley required clear and convincing proof of a statutory ground before withholding a bankruptcy discharge.
“The court is required to discharge the bankrupt unless there is clear and convincing proof of the commission or omission of some act which the law prescribes as a ground for withholding discharge.”
Procedural preferences
In Switzer, Brawley refused contempt confinement without clear evidence that the bankrupt still possessed estate assets.
“suspicion is not proof, and, in the absence of clear evidence that the bankrupt is now in possession of money or goods belonging to his trustee, I cannot feel justified in committing him. to jail.”
Cautions
In The Planter, Brawley warned participants in judicial sales to protect their own interests, while separately safeguarding seamen’s wage claims.
“parties interested in sales made by the courts should *669understand that it is their duty to protect themselves at such sales.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
Brawley charged the jury on an alleged unlawful military expedition but the report does not record a verdict.
“the steamship Rita, together with her tackle, apparel, and furniture, be condemned, forfeited, and sold as lawful prize of war”
“the allowance of $90, under the circumstances, is not excessive, and the report of the referee is therefore confirmed.”
“If he claims that the answer to any question propounded would tend to criminate him, he cannot be compelled to answer.”
“I therefore sustain the referee in holding that the mortgage is void”
“he should not be allowed to prove his claim against the bankrupt estate, and to receive a dividend thereon equally with other creditors of the same class.”
“I am not satisfied that there is any good ground under the law for refusing a discharge, and it will be granted.”
“The order of the referee disallowing the proof of the claim is affirmed.”
“the rule must be discharged for want of jurisdiction.”
“upon the payment by John Manning to the trustee of the sum of $419 the land above described as the ‘Parham Place’ be assigned to John Manning as homestead.”
“the mortgage is sustained as to the additional loan in cash of $900, and the value of the cotton $600, and the value of the collaterals exchanged $1,602.15”
“an allowance of $200 is a reasonable fee for the attorney of the bankrupt”
“a fee of $200 is allowed for such service.”
“the sum of $250 is adjudged to be a reasonable compensation for such service”
“A decree will be entered allowing Samuel J. Pregnall, *783libelant, one-fourth of the amount which the tug may bring at public sale.”
“will be allowed the sum of $293.32, the bill for repairs, preservation, and restoration of the tug after she was raised”
“the claim for the hire of the equipment, etc., cannot be allowed as a salvage claim.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
No case-level docket records were located for this judge, so no caseload mix or duration estimate is reported.
A historical record
Judge Brawley 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.