United States District Court for the District of Michigan

The United States District Court for the District of Michigan is a former federal district court for the state of Michigan. The district was first established on July 1, 1836, with a single judgeship. The district court was not assigned to a judicial circuit, but was granted the same jurisdiction as U.S. circuit courts, except in appeals and writs of error, which were the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. Due to the so-called "Toledo War", a boundary dispute with Ohio, Michigan did not become a state of the Union until January 26, 1837.

On March 3, 1837, Congress passed an act that repealed the circuit court jurisdiction of the U.S. District Court for the District of Michigan, assigned the District of Michigan to the Seventh Circuit, and established a U.S. circuit court for the district.

On July 15, 1862, Congress reorganized the circuits and assigned Michigan to the Eighth Circuit and on January 28, 1863, the Congress again reorganized Seventh and Eight Circuits and assigned Michigan to the Seventh Circuit.

On February 24, 1863, Congress divided Michigan into two judicial districts, the Eastern and the Western, with one judgeship authorized for each district.

Ross Wilkins was the only district judge to serve the District of Michigan. He was nominated by President Andrew Jackson on July 2, 1836, to the newly created seat, and was confirmed by the Senate on July 2, 1836. He received his commission on January 26, 1837. Upon termination of the District of Michigan, Wilkins was reassigned to the Eastern District of Michigan.

References

* [http://www.fjc.gov/history/home.nsf/page/usdc_mi_leg U.S. District Courts of Michigan Legislative history]
* [http://www.fjc.gov/servlet/tGetInfo?jid=2584 Judges of the District of Michigan]