Robert Takasugi
| Robert Takasugi | |
| Current Court Information: | |
| United States District Court for the Central District of California | |
| Title: | Senior Judge (Inactive) |
| Position: | Seat #3 |
| Service: | |
| Appointed by: | Gerald Ford |
| Active: | 5/7/1976 - 9/30/1996 |
| Senior: | 9/30/1996 - Present |
| Preceded by: | Elisha Crary |
| Succeeded by: | Carlos Moreno |
| Personal History | |
| Bachelors: | University of California at Los Angeles, B.S., 1953 |
| Law School: | University of Southern California Law School, J.D., 1959 |
Contents |
Robert Takasugi is a former federal judge for the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Takasugi died on August 6, 2009 at age 78[1]. Judge Takasugi was the first ever Japanese-American judge to be nominated to the federal bench[1].
Early life and education
A native of Washington State, Takasugi graduated from the University of California-Los Angeles with his Bachelor's Degree in 1953 and later graduated from the USC Law with his juris doctorate degree in 1959. Takasugi also served as a U.S. Army Corporal from 1953 to 1955.
Professional career
Takasugi spent a majority of his legal career as a private practice attorney licensed in the State of California from 1960 to 1973 and in addition to his private practice work, served as a Hearing examiner for the Los Angeles Police Commission from 1962 to 1965. Takasugi became a Municipal Court Judge in the Los Angeles Municipal Court from 1973 to 1975 before becoming a Superior Court Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court from 1975 to 1976.
Judicial career
Central District of California
Takasugi was nominated by President Gerald Ford on April 14, 1976 to a seat vacated by Elisha Avery Crary as Crary died in judicial service[2]. Takasugi was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on May 6, 1976 on a Senate vote and received commission on May 7, 1976. Takasugi later assumed senior status on September 30, 1996.
Notable cases
TSA screeners case
One of Judge Takasgui's notable cases was presiding in a 2002 lawsuit in which the ACLU sued the Transportation Security Administration for requiring baggage screeners to be American
The judge found that the hiring restriction amounted to a "constitutional deprivation" that cost thousands of non-citizen screeners their jobs. Judge Takasugi's ruling on the case resulted in the TSA changing its policy to allow permanent resident immigrants to work as baggage screeners[1].
Patriot Act case
Judge Takasugi was one of the first federal judges to overturn a portion of the Patriot Act in 2002 that resulted in the removal of a grand jury indictment. The judge overturned the indictments of seven Los Angeles residents who were accused of fundraising for an Iranian opposition group listed as a terrorist organization by the State Department[1].
Judge Takasugi reversed the indictments because the Patriot Act deprived the defendants of due-process rights because they were not given a chance to defend the allegations before their group was placed on the list[1].
Judicial style
Throughout his judicial career, Judge Takasugi was known to have a calm demeanor when presiding cases, even in the face of some unusual moments in the courtroom. Many people have considered Judge Takasgui to be pro-defense, but earned the respect of both prosecuting and defense attorneys for how he handled himself in the courtroom[1].
Judge Takasugi has been known to practice a careful form of judicial restraint, but has earned a reputation for being pro-defense. Judge Takasugi also was vigilant of prosecutors overstepping their boundaries. This demeanor comes after Takasugi was among the 110,000 Japanese-American citizens who were rounded up under Executive Order 9066 and sent to internment camps[1].
External links
References
| Federal judicial offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by: Elisha Crary |
Central District of California 1976–1996 Seat #3 |
Succeeded by: Carlos Moreno |
| |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 |
Bauer • Bramwell • Cahn • Churchill • Clarke • Cook • Elfvin • Fitzgerald • Flaum • Gerry • Kirkland • Sessions • Torruella • Graafeiland | ||
| 1975 |
Brimmer • Brotman • Grady • Haden • Henley • Higginbotham • Kennedy • Leighton • McNagny • Meskill • O'Conor • Rogers • Shell • Siler • Stafford • Stevens • Thompson • Tjoflat • Wong | ||
| 1976 |
Ackerman • Anderson • Aronovitz • Broderick • Callister • Cohill • Copenhaver • Crowley • Davis • Fay • Goettel • Guy • Haight • Hall • Hill • Ingram • Manos • Munson • Poole • Pratt • Richey • Schwartz • Schwarzer • Sear • Sterling • Takasugi • Waters • Williams • Wood | ||
