Duncan Lawrence Groner
How Judge Groner rules, drawn from 20 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Judge Groner no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Groner decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
In West, Groner treated Virginia's regulated primary as part of the election system and allowed a constitutional challenge to racial exclusion to proceed.
“The primary election constitutes a necessary part, and fulfils an essential function in the plan to promote honesty in the conduct of elections”
In Russell, Groner held that an unrestricted authorized sale carried the right to use the patented article anywhere, despite a territorial assignment.
“one who buys patented articles of manufacture from one authorized to sell them becomes possessed of an absolute property in such articles, unrestricted in time or place.”
Procedural preferences
In Eastern Transportation, Groner denied dismissal where wreck abandonment and the private company's defenses could be evaluated more reliably after evidence was taken.
“The defenses applicable to that respondent can be better determined after a full hearing.”
Cautions
In Wyatt, Groner granted a discharge after a detailed investigation did not establish concealment or a false oath.
“There must be evidence that he has concealed or is concealing Ms assets from his creditors”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“the motion to dismiss on behalf of the United States ought to be, and is, denied.”
“The motion made on behalf of the Seaboard Transportation Company is likewise denied.”
“The demurrer will be overruled, and the defendants given 60 days in whieh to plead further”
“The temporary injunction is denied, and a decree to that effect will be entered on presentation.”
“The injunction will be made permanent.”
“the petition must be dismissed, with leave to petitioner to renew the same at any time after June 1, 1926.”
“The injunction should therefore be, and is, denied, and the bill of complaint dismissed.”
“hence I must grant him Ms discharge.”
“overruled the said motion, to which action and ruling of the court plaintiff by counsel excepted”
“overruled the said special plea, to which action of the court in overruling the said special plea defendant by counsel then and there duly excepted.”
“plaintiff, United States of America, do have and recover of and from defendant, Eagle Indemnity Company, a corporation, the sum of $10,000”
“I think judgment should pass in favor of the plaintiff for the full amount sued for, with costs and interest from date”
“moved the court to, set aside the judgment and grant a new trial, and excepted to the refusal of the court so to do”
“the motion to remand should be, and it is, granted.”
“For these reasons the interlocutory injunction must be and is denied.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
No tenure-bounded docket record was available from which to describe caseload mix.
A historical record
Judge Groner 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.