Circuit riding
Circuit riding refers to a historical judicial practice in the United States where Supreme Court justices would travel to various regions, or circuits, to hear cases. This system was established under the Judiciary Act of 1789, which divided the country into three circuits, each staffed by two justices and a federal district judge. Over time, the structure evolved, notably with the reduction of justices on circuit benches, which aimed to simplify the judicial process and address potential conflicts of interest.
Circuit riding was eliminated by the Judiciary Act of 1801, but this decision was later reversed in 1802, leading to the assignment of justices to specific circuits without rotation. As the nation expanded, new circuits and justices were added through subsequent acts. The function of circuit courts changed significantly with the Judiciary Act of 1891, which established U.S. circuit courts of appeals to handle appellate cases, ultimately leading to the dissolution of the original circuit courts in 1911. This evolution reflects the ongoing adjustments within the U.S. judicial system in response to the country's growth and legal needs.
Circuit riding
Definition: Supreme Court justices traveled hundreds, even thousands, of miles as members of a circuit court designed to bring the federal judiciary system to the people.
Significance: Direct involvement in jurisdictions outside the nation’s capital enabled Supreme Court justices to stay attuned to local law as they contributed to the formation of national law.
The Judiciary Act of 1789 divided the states into three circuits, the eastern, the middle, and the southern, with a circuit court consisting of two Supreme Court justices and one federal district judge meeting twice a year in each region. In 1793 Congress reduced the number of justices on any circuit court bench from two to one.
Both original and appellate jurisdiction were in the hands of the justices, creating a controversial dual role. In response to potential conflicts of interest for justices and the rigors of circuit travel, circuit riding was eliminated by a section in the Judiciary Act of 1801. However, the Judiciary Act of 1802 repealed the 1801 act, assigning each justice a specific circuit without rotation.
To meet the needs of territorial expansion, the Judiciary Act of 1837 added new circuits and new justices until there were nine of each. In 1869 Congress approved a measure authorizing the appointment of nine new circuit judges, reducing the justices’ circuit duties to one term every two years. The Judiciary Act of 1891 lightened the court docket of the justices by creating U.S. circuit courts of appeals and assigning all appellate work to them. However, the original circuit courts were not abolished until 1911.