Raymond L. Finch
Judge Finch no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Finch decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
An arbitration agreement remained enforceable when the employee accepted benefits under it and could not show both procedural and substantive unconscionability.
“Because Wilhelm ratified the contract by accepting the ACP Bonuses, she has foregone her fraudulent inducement defense.”
Fourth Amendment suppression arguments failed where the challenged area qualified as an open field and officers observed evidence in plain view.
“Because the open fields doctrine applied, the officer's presence and search of the overgrown area ... did not violate Defendants' Fourth Amendment rights.”
Procedural preferences
Late evidence required a concrete showing of excusable neglect; affidavits based on information available during the original briefing period were not accepted.
“Plaintiffs could have obtained further details from Vargas at any time.”
A prisoner was not required to plead exhaustion because failure to exhaust is an affirmative defense that the defendant must prove.
“failure to exhaust administrative remedies must be pled and proved by the defendant.”
Cautions
Rule 11 sanctions were reserved for exceptional cases, and replacement counsel was not held responsible for pleadings that counsel did not sign or file.
“substituted counsel cannot be held accountable for pleadings or motions which they themselves did not sign or file.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“Plaintiffs have failed to present a claim against HUD or FmHA for which relief can be granted.”
“the motion for judgment on the pleadings is GRANTED as to HOVIC on all counts.”
“Plaintiffs' Motion for Leave Pursuant to Rule 6(d) to File Sworn Testimony of Dimetrio Felix Ortiz is granted”
“Plaintiffs' Motions for Leave Pursuant to Rule 6(d) to File Sworn Testimony of Sr., Rene Vargas, and Charles Weaver are denied.”
“Defendant's motion for summary judgment is DENIED as to Plaintiff's claim for Defendant's failure to maintain the stairs in a safe condition, DENIED as to Plaintiff's claim for Defendant's failure to assist, and GRANTED as to Plaintiff's claim for Defendant's failure to warn Plaintiff of the wet steps.”
“It grants summary judgment in Hovensa's favor on Plaintiffs' claim for intentional spoliation of evidence or fraudulent concealment. The Court denies summary judgment on all of Plaintiffs' other claims”
“Defendant's Motion to Dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction is GRANTED”
“the Court dismisses Counts III against Bell with prejudice.”
Before an evidentiary hearing on a joined motion to suppress wiretap evidence, the government was ordered to submit the interception applications and supporting affidavits. The order did not decide the suppression motion.
“For the reasons stated herein, Defendants' Motion to Suppress is DENIED.”
“the Court grants Defendants' Renewed Joint Motion to Stay Proceedings Pending Arbitration and Motion to Compel Arbitration.”
“Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment is GRANTED”
“Because the requirements for a valid search warrant were satisfied, Defendant's Motion to Suppress is DENIED.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
The returned historical cases include civil-rights, prisoner, employment, personal-injury, federal-agency, property, and miscellaneous matters. The ten-case randomized cohort is too sparse for a representative caseload distribution.
A historical record
Judge Finch 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.