James Ware (judge) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Ware
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| Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California | |
| In office December 31, 2010 – August 31, 2012 |
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| Preceded by | Vaughn Walker |
| Succeeded by | Claudia Ann Wilken |
| Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California | |
| In office October 1, 1990 – August 31, 2012 |
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| Appointed by | George H. W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Robert Francis Peckham |
| Succeeded by | James Donato |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
William James Ware
November 2, 1946 Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. |
| Education | California Lutheran University (BA) Stanford University (JD) |
William James Ware (born November 2, 1946) is a retired United States federal judge. He served on the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. This court handles important legal cases in Northern California.
Contents
Early Life and Education
James Ware was born in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1946. He went to California Lutheran University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1969. Later, he studied law at Stanford Law School and received his Juris Doctor degree in 1972.
After finishing law school, Ware served in the United States Army. He was a Military Police Officer in 1973. He also served as a Captain in the United States Army Reserve from 1973 to 1986.
Career as a Judge
Before becoming a federal judge, James Ware worked as a lawyer. He had his own law practice in Palo Alto, from 1972 to 1988.
From 1988 to 1990, he was a judge on the Santa Clara County Superior Court. This court handles many different types of cases at the local level. He also taught law at different universities.
Becoming a Federal Judge
In 1990, President George H. W. Bush chose James Ware to be a federal judge. He was approved by the United States Senate and officially became a judge on October 1, 1990.
He worked as a judge for many years. From 2010 to 2012, he held the important role of Chief Judge for his court. He retired from his position as a federal judge on August 31, 2012.
Nomination to a Higher Court
In 1997, President Bill Clinton nominated Judge Ware for a position on a higher court. This was the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. However, his nomination was later withdrawn. This happened after a story he had shared about his past was found to be inaccurate. This led to a formal review, and he received a reprimand.
Important Cases
Judge Ware handled many interesting cases during his time on the bench. He was known for hearing cases related to the internet and technology.
- He oversaw cases involving internet ownership and disputes between large technology companies.
- In 2006, he made a ruling in a case involving Google.com. He ordered Google to share certain search data with the government.
- In 2009, he ruled that Google had to provide information about a Gmail user. This user had mistakenly received private information from a bank.
- In 2001, he sentenced a computer hacker named Max Butler to prison. This hacker had broken into computers belonging to the United States Department of Defense.
Judge Ware also made important decisions on cases about rights and freedom of speech.
- In 2011, he ruled in a case about Proposition 8. This was a law in California that limited marriage to only opposite-sex couples. Opponents of same-sex marriage argued that the judge who first heard the case, Judge Vaughn Walker, could not be fair because he was gay. Judge Ware ruled that a judge's personal identity does not mean they cannot be impartial. He said it would be wrong to assume a judge cannot be fair just because of who they are.
- In 2011, he dismissed a lawsuit from students at Live Oak High School. The students wore American flag shirts to school. The school sent them home because they feared it might cause problems. The students claimed their right to free speech was violated. Judge Ware ruled that schools can act to prevent disruption, even before it happens.
See also
