Frank Howell Seay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Frank Howell Seay
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma | |
| Assumed office September 25, 2003 |
|
| Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma | |
| In office 1980–1996 |
|
| Preceded by | Joseph Wilson Morris |
| Succeeded by | Michael Burrage |
| Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma | |
| In office November 2, 1979 – September 25, 2003 |
|
| Appointed by | Jimmy Carter |
| Preceded by | Joseph Wilson Morris |
| Succeeded by | Ronald A. White |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 5, 1938 Shawnee, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Education | University of Oklahoma (BA, LLB) |
Frank Howell Seay, born on September 5, 1938, is a respected former federal judge. He served as a senior judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
Contents
Frank Seay's Early Life and Education
Frank Seay was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma. He attended the University of Oklahoma, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1961. He continued his studies at the University of Oklahoma College of Law, receiving his law degree in 1963.
Beginning His Legal Career
After finishing law school, Seay started his career in private law practice. He worked in Seminole, Oklahoma, from 1963 to 1966. During this time, he also served as the county attorney for Seminole County, Oklahoma.
From 1967 to 1968, he was the first assistant district attorney for Oklahoma's 22nd Judicial District. He then became an Associate Judge for the District Court of Oklahoma in Seminole County, serving from 1968 to 1974. Later, he was a judge for the 22nd Judicial District Court of Oklahoma from 1974 to 1979.
Serving as a Federal Judge
President Jimmy Carter nominated Frank Seay to become a judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. This happened on September 28, 1979. The United States Senate approved his nomination on October 31, 1979. He officially began his role as a federal judge on November 2, 1979.
Leading the Court
Judge Seay quickly took on more responsibility. He served as the Chief Judge of the Eastern District of Oklahoma from 1980 to 1996. This meant he was in charge of the court's operations and administration. On September 25, 2003, he took on senior status. This allowed him to reduce his workload while still handling some cases.
A Focus on Justice: The Ada Case
Judge Seay played a very important role in a famous case from Ada, Oklahoma. He helped to correct serious mistakes that had led to the wrongful convictions of Ron Williamson and Dennis Fritz. Their story was later told in a non-fiction book by John Grisham, called The Innocent Man: ... and Injustice in a Small Town.
Standing Up for Fair Trials
In his legal opinion about the case, Judge Seay included a powerful message. He wrote, "God help us, if ever in this great country we turn our heads while people who have not had fair trials are executed. That almost happened in this case." This quote shows his strong belief in making sure everyone gets a fair trial.
Frank Seay's Personal Background
Frank Seay has a unique personal history. His grandfather on his father's side was a full-blooded Native American. Interestingly, Seay did not find out about his Native American heritage, which was likely Cherokee, until after he became a federal judge. This made him the first Native American to be appointed to a federal court in the United States.
See also
- List of Native American jurists
- List of United States federal judges by longevity of service
