Judges Act of 1925
The Judges Act of 1925 was legislation that changed the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the United States. The goal of the Judges Act was to create a more logical and unified system for handling appeals to the Supreme Court.[1]
Purpose
The Supreme Court of the United States in the early 20th century faced an increased caseload. This was caused by increased federal litigation associated with World War I and the enforcement of Prohibition. In response to the increased caseload, former Chief Justice William Taft and a committee of Supreme Court justices drafted The Judges Act of 1925.[1]
Legislation
The Judges Act eliminated direct appeals from the district courts to the Supreme Court, but granted exceptions in certain cases. Cases involving interstate commerce, anti-trust legislation, writs of errors by the United States in criminal cases, reviews of rulings of the Interstate Commerce Commission, and injunctions against state administrative agencies were granted direct appeal. Appeals from a state supreme court to the U.S. Supreme Court were limited under the Judges Act. The Supreme Court can grant direct appeal if a state court declared an act of the United States invalid or denied a claim that a state law was unconstitutional. Decisions of the U.S. Courts of Appeals involving a state's constitution are granted direct appeal.[1]
The Judges Act of 1925 created the certiorari system. This meant that no decision from the Court of Appeals or a state supreme court are heard without the Supreme Court granting certiorati. However, an appellate court can bypass the certiorati process by granting certification to a case.[1]
Result
Congress first considered the Judges Act in 1921. Supreme Court Justice Willis Van Devanter was chairman of a committee the bill. The Judges Act did not pass both houses of Congress for another four years. The House and Senate Judiciary Committees held hearings to make revisions to the original bill drafted by Justice DeVanter. In February of 1925, Congress approved the Judges Act on a bipartisan vote and President Calvin Coolidge signed the act into law.[1]
