J. Lawrence Irving

James Lawrence Irving (born February 16, 1935) is a former United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of California.

J. Lawrence Irving
Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of California
In office
July 28, 1982 – December 31, 1990
Appointed byRonald Reagan
Preceded byEdward Joseph Schwartz
Succeeded byIrma Elsa Gonzalez
Personal details
Born
James Lawrence Irving[1]

(1935-02-16) February 16, 1935[2]
San Diego, California
SpouseEvelyn Johnson[2]
EducationUniversity of Southern California (B.S.)
USC Gould School of Law (LL.B.)
Military service
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Years of service1954-1956

Education and career

Born in San Diego, California, Irving was in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Southern California in 1959 and a Bachelor of Laws from the USC Gould School of Law in 1963. He was in private practice in San Diego from 1963 to 1982.[3]

Federal judicial service

On July 15, 1982, Irving was nominated by President Ronald Reagan to a seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of California vacated by Judge Edward Joseph Schwartz. Irving was confirmed by the United States Senate on July 28, 1982, and received his commission the same day. Irving served in that capacity until his resignation on December 31, 1990.[3]

Resignation

Irving resigned due to a belief that federal mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines were unconstitutional and immoral. "If I remain on the bench I have no choice but to follow the law," he said. "I just can't, in good conscience, continue to do this".[4]

References
  1. California Birth Index
  2. Confirmation of federal judges : hearings before the Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, Ninety-seventh Congress, first session on the selection and confirmation of federal judges. pt.4 (1982)
  3. "Irving, J. Lawrence - Federal Judicial Center". www.fjc.gov.
  4. "Criticizing Sentencing Rules, U.S. Judge Resigns", The New York Times, September 30, 1990.

Sources
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