James Andrew Wynn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Wynn
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| Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit | |
| Assumed office August 10, 2010 |
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| Appointed by | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | James Dickson Phillips Jr. |
| Judge of the North Carolina Court of Appeals | |
| In office January 5, 1999 – August 9, 2010 |
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| Appointed by | Jim Hunt |
| Preceded by | Himself |
| Succeeded by | Cressie Thigpen |
| In office 1990 – September 30, 1998 |
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| Preceded by | Allyson K. Duncan |
| Succeeded by | Himself |
| Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court | |
| In office October 1, 1998 – December 31, 1998 |
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| Preceded by | John Webb |
| Succeeded by | George L. Wainwright Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
James Andrew Wynn Jr.
March 17, 1954 Robersonville, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Education | University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (BA) Marquette University (JD) University of Virginia (LLM) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1979–2009 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | Army Judge Advocate General's Corps |
James Andrew Wynn Jr. (born March 17, 1954) is an American judge. He works as a United States circuit judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Before this, he served on both the North Carolina Court of Appeals and the North Carolina Supreme Court.
Contents
Early Life and Education
James Wynn grew up in Robersonville, North Carolina. He was one of eight children. His family owned a farm where he worked when he was young.
He earned several degrees from different universities. He studied journalism at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Then, he went to Marquette University Law School to become a lawyer. Later, he earned another law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law.
Military and Legal Career
After finishing law school, Wynn joined the Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy. This is a group of lawyers who work for the military. He served for four years in Norfolk, Virginia.
He continued to serve in the U.S. Naval Reserve for 26 more years. During this time, he also worked as a military judge. He retired in 2009 as a captain.
After his active military service, Wynn worked as a lawyer for the State of North Carolina. He then joined a law firm in Wilson, North Carolina.
Becoming a Judge
State Judge Service
From 1990 to 2010, James Wynn served as a judge in North Carolina. He worked on the North Carolina Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of North Carolina.
Federal Judge Service
Nominations for Federal Court
On August 5, 1999, President Bill Clinton wanted Wynn to become a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. This court hears appeals from federal courts in several states. The Fourth Circuit had never had an African American judge before.
However, a senator from North Carolina, Jesse Helms, stopped the nomination. This meant the judge position stayed empty for a long time. President Clinton tried to nominate Wynn again in 2001, but the new President, George W. Bush, withdrew the nomination.
Appointed by President Obama
On November 4, 2009, President Barack Obama nominated Wynn for the Fourth Circuit. Both senators from North Carolina, one Democrat and one Republican, supported him. The Senate approved his nomination on August 5, 2010. He officially became a judge on August 10, 2010.
Recent News About His Status
On January 9, 2024, Judge Wynn said he planned to take "senior status." This means a judge reduces their workload but stays on the court. President Joe Biden nominated someone new to take his place. However, that person was not approved by the Senate before the 2024 election.
On December 13, 2024, Judge Wynn changed his mind. He decided to stay an active judge on the Fourth Circuit. This means the new President, Donald Trump, will not get to choose his replacement right away. Some politicians were not happy with his decision.
Important Cases and Decisions
Judge Wynn has been involved in many important cases. Here are a few examples:
Voting Rights in North Carolina
In 2014, Judge Wynn wrote an important opinion about voting rights in North Carolina. He helped stop parts of a state law that made it harder for some groups to vote. The court found that these parts of the law were unfair and aimed at specific groups. The Supreme Court agreed with this decision.
School Dress Codes and Equal Rights
In 2022, Judge Wynn was part of a court decision about a public charter school's dress code. The school required girls to wear skirts, saying girls were "fragile vessels." The court decided this rule was unfair and went against the Fourteenth Amendment, which ensures equal protection for everyone. Judge Wynn agreed, saying that treating students differently based on gender identity is wrong.
Cell Phone Privacy
In 2016, Judge Wynn argued that information about where a cell phone is located should be protected by the Fourth Amendment. This amendment protects people from unreasonable searches. He believed that people do not freely give away their location data. The Supreme Court later agreed with his view in a similar case.
Travel Restrictions
In 2017, Judge Wynn wrote an opinion about a "travel ban" ordered by President Trump. He believed the President's order went too far. He argued that it unfairly stopped people from entering the country based on discrimination.
Transgender Student Rights
In 2020, Judge Wynn joined a decision that said a Virginia school board violated Title IX by stopping a transgender student from using the boys' bathroom. The court said that equal protection and Title IX protect transgender students. Judge Wynn wrote that separating students based on "biological gender" is unfair and causes harm. The Supreme Court did not challenge this decision.
Gun Sales to Young Adults
In 2021, Judge Wynn disagreed with a court decision that struck down a law. This law prevented licensed gun dealers from selling handguns to people under 21. He believed the law should have stayed in place.
Rules for Running for Office
In 2022, Judge Wynn wrote an opinion about who can run for Congress. He said that states should have the power to set rules for candidates. He argued that without these rules, states could not stop "unqualified candidates" like minors or people from other countries from running for office.
Awards and Recognition
Judge Wynn has received many awards for his work. In 2022, the North Carolina Law Review held a special event to honor his many years as a judge.
Some of his awards include:
- Alumnus of the Year, Marquette University Law School (2018)
- Spirit of Excellence Award, American Bar Association (2018)
- Liberty Bell Award, North Carolina Bar Association (2018)
- Raymond Pace Alexander Award, National Bar Association (2008)
- Harvey E. Beech Outstanding Alumni Award, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2008)
- Appellate Judge of the Year, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers (1995)
See also
