Richard W. Roberts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Richard W. Roberts
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| Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia | |
| Assumed office March 16, 2016 |
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| Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia | |
| In office July 15, 2013 – March 16, 2016 |
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| Preceded by | Royce C. Lamberth |
| Succeeded by | Beryl A. Howell |
| Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia | |
| In office June 23, 1998 – March 16, 2016 |
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| Appointed by | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Charles Robert Richey |
| Succeeded by | Carl J. Nichols |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Richard Warren Roberts
June 21, 1953 New York City, U.S. |
| Education | Vassar College (AB) School for International Training (MIA.) Columbia University (JD) |
Richard Warren Roberts (born June 21, 1953) is a retired United States federal judge. He served as a judge for the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. He is known for his long career in law and public service.
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Early Life and Education
Richard Roberts was born in New York City. His parents were both public school teachers. His mother was a singer at the Metropolitan Opera. His father was very involved with the NAACP. He even took part in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963.
Roberts went to the The High School of Music and Art in New York City. He graduated from there in 1970.
College and Law School
Roberts studied mathematics at Vassar College. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1974. He graduated with honors.
He continued his studies at the SIT Graduate Institute in Vermont. He also attended Columbia Law School in New York City. In 1978, he received two advanced degrees. He earned a Master of International Administration and a law degree (Juris Doctor).
Community Involvement and Teaching
Richard Roberts has been active in many groups. In 1983, he helped start the Washington, D.C., chapter of Concerned Black Men, Inc. This group aims to provide positive role models for children. Roberts held important roles within this organization.
He has also been a member of several legal groups. These include the Edward Bennett Williams Inn of Court and the Judicial Council of the Washington Bar Association.
Academic and Community Roles
Roberts has shared his knowledge in academic settings. He served on the board of trustees for Vassar College. For over 37 years, he was a visiting faculty member at the Harvard Law School Trial Advocacy Workshop. He also taught trial practice at Georgetown University Law Center.
He helped train new lawyers at the Department of Justice. He also coached first-year students at Howard Law School. Roberts served on the boards of several foundations and councils. These include the Abramson Scholarship Foundation and the Council for Court Excellence.
Career as a Lawyer
Richard Roberts began his legal career in 1978. He worked as a Trial Attorney for the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice. He held this position until 1982. In this role, he worked on important cases involving civil rights.
After that, Roberts worked at a private law firm. He was an attorney at Covington & Burling for four years.
Working as a Prosecutor
In 1986, Roberts became an assistant United States attorney. He worked in the Southern District of New York. He served under Rudy Giuliani, who later became Mayor of New York City.
Two years later, he became an assistant United States attorney for the District of Columbia. In 1993, he was chosen as the principal assistant U.S. attorney. He held this role until 1995. In 1995, he was appointed Criminal Section Chief. This was for the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice. He served in this position for three years.
Federal Judicial Service
President Bill Clinton nominated Richard Roberts to be a federal judge. This was for the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. The United States Senate confirmed his nomination on June 5, 1998. He officially became a judge on June 23, 1998.
He served as the chief judge of the court from 2013 to 2016. On March 16, 2016, he took "senior status." This means he retired from full-time duties but can still hear cases.
Important Court Orders
In July 2005, Judge Roberts issued an important court order. He told the CIA not to destroy certain evidence. This evidence was related to how they questioned people. Later, the CIA admitted they had destroyed some tapes. These tapes showed "extended interrogation techniques."
On January 24, 2008, Judge Roberts asked the CIA for an explanation. He wanted to know why the tapes were destroyed. A lawyer for a person held at Guantanamo Bay detention camps later sued the CIA. The lawyer argued that the destroyed evidence would have helped his client.
Overseeing a Detention Case
Judge Roberts also oversaw a lawsuit filed by Abu Zubaydah. This person was challenging his detention at Guantanamo Bay. The lawsuit was filed in July 2008.
Awards and Honors
Richard Roberts has received many awards for his work. The U.S. Attorney General gave him a special commendation for his efforts as a prosecutor. He graduated with honors from Vassar College.
He was also inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Council on Legal Education Opportunity. Vassar College honored him with the Outstanding Service to Vassar Award.
See also
