- Charles J. Siragusa
-
Charles J. Siragusa 
Judge on the United States District Court for the Western District of New York Incumbent Assumed office
1997Nominated by Bill Clinton Preceded by Michael Anthony Telesca Personal details Born Rochester, New York Charles J. Siragusa (born 1947) is a judge in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York in Rochester.
Contents
Education
Siragusa received his bachelor's degree from Le Moyne College in 1969 and his Juris Doctor degree in 1976 from Albany Law School.
Legal career
Siragusa served as an Assistant District Attorney in Monroe County from 1977-1992 where he rose to the rank of First Assistant District Attorney.
During his time as First Assistant District Attorney, Siragusa successfully prosecuted Arthur Shawcross, also known as The Genesee River Killer. Shawcross had killed eleven victims starting in 1988 before his capture less than two years later in January 1990. Shawcross died November 10, 2008 while serving a life sentence.[1][2]
Judicial service
In 1993, Siragusa was elected as a New York State Supreme Court Justice in the Seventh Judicial District where he served for four years.
On July 15, 1997, President Bill Clinton nominated Siragusa to the Federal Court to a seat vacated by Michael Anthony Telesca.[3] He was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 30, 1997, and received his commission on November 5, 1997. He continues to hold that post today.[4]
Notable rulings
In August 2010, Siragusa ruled that the town board of Greece, New York did not commit a constitutional violation by opening its meetings with a brief prayer. The judge signed an order that tossed out a lawsuit filed by two residents of the town of who had complained that prayers held at the start of town council meetings favored Christians and violated the separation of church and state.[5] Siragusa noted that government bodies throughout the country routinely invite religious leaders to make invocations at the start of public meetings. He said those prayers are acceptable as long as the town body isn't proselytizing or advancing any one faith at the expense of others. The town of Greece said they welcome people of any faith to give the prayer.[5]
References
- ^ Foderaro, Lisa W. (December 2, 1990). "A Serial-Murder Trial, On TV, Grips Rochester". The New York Times. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9C0CE5DC1030F931A35751C1A966958260.
- ^ http://www.crimelibrary.com/serial_killers/predators/shawcross/9.html
- ^ http://www.clintonfoundation.org/legacy/071597-president-nominatess-two-to-the-federal-bench.htm
- ^ http://www.fjc.gov/servlet/tGetInfo?jid=2746
- ^ a b "Judge OKs Prayers by N.Y. Town Council". Associated Press (FOX News Network, LLC.). August 9, 2010. http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/08/09/judge-oks-prayers-ny-town-council/. Retrieved August 9, 2010.
External links
Categories:- 1947 births
- Living people
- Albany Law School alumni
- Le Moyne College alumni
- Judges of the United States District Court for the Western District of New York
- United States district court judges appointed by Bill Clinton
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