John Simson Woolson
Judge Woolson no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Woolson decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
Woolson required creditors opposing discharge to identify concrete facts rather than repeat statutory language.
“But it is incumbent on the creditor to assert and prove the existence of facts sufficient, under the statute, io defeat discharge. On the creditor is the burden of proof.”
He confined criminal statutes to their legitimate scope even when state law could punish the alleged conduct.
“Criminal statutes are inelastic. The court may not attempt to stretch the statutory provisions beyond their legitimate boundaries”
Procedural preferences
He treated notice as essential before a prisoner could be removed to another district for trial.
“In my judgment, the prisoner should have an opportunity to be heard in the matter of the application, if he so desire.”
He allowed bankruptcy referees to determine proper attorney fees without first convening the creditors.
“I am of the opinion that notice to creditors is not required before the referee can settle proper attorney’s fees.”
Cautions
Woolson would not use habeas review to retry facts or reassess the weight of evidence decided by state tribunals.
“Por this court cannot, upon habeas corpus, consider the sufficiency and comparative weight of evidence as establishing guilt or innocence.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“I find, therefore, that under the allegations of the application petitioner could not obtain his release if the writ of habeas corpus were to issue.”
“the demurrer must be overruled; and it is so ordered.'”
“it is therefore and hereby accordingly ordered that whenever said receiver is served with notice of garnishment, or any other notice, writ, or process, issuing out of or pertaining to any of the courts of the state of Iowa”
“defendant’s motion in arrest of judgment must be overruled. Ordered accordingly, and defendant excepts.”
“It follows, from the foregoing, that all lie exceptions filed by libel-ant are overruled.”
“the w'arrant of removal was refused until defendant had such notice”
“The motion to quash the indictment must he sustained.”
“The conclusion reached is that the trustee pay, out of the funds of the estate, the taxes now outstanding and a lien against the homestead of the bankrupt. ' Ordered accordingly.”
“The conclusion reached is that the bill as rendered cannot be allowed; and yet there clearly appear legal services of benefit to the estate as rendered by such attorney, and personal expenses by him necessarily incurred in connection therewith, pending appointment, etc., of trustee, and after petition for adjudication was filed.”
“The motion to strike out the specifications of grounds of opposition as filed by the- opposing creditor must be sustained.”
“Therefore the objections to discharge, as .specified, must be overruled, and discharge granted.”
“The pending matter is therefore referred back to Referee Lee, with directions to take such further action relating thereto as may be found right and just.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
No electronic case-level docket exists for Woolson’s tenure. The profile therefore makes no claim about complete caseload mix, duration, administrative dispositions, or motion timing.
A historical record
Judge Woolson no longer hears cases. This profile stays available as a record of how they ruled. If you're preparing for a matter, start from the court's current bench.