► 2015 Judicial Geezer Award Winner: U.S. Judge Charles Joiner of Detroit

Charlie was born in 1916 in Maquoketa, Iowa, meaning as we speak (February 2016) Charlie is one hundred (100) years old.

The state of Michigan presented Charles Wycliffe Joiner with a law license in 1939 after he graduated from the University of Iowa Law School.

Former President Richard Nixon was duped into appointing Charlie to a seat on the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michiganin 1972. Charlie didn’t get the appointment because he was the most qualified lawyer in the greater Detroit area. He got it because he had proven to be a reliable lackey for the local political hacks.

Old Charlie has had his significant snout firmly implainted in the public trough for the past forty-four (44) years. Apparently, so self-respecting law firm in the Detroit area was about to offer Charlie a good paying job. 

Charlie was eligible to retire in 1984 with a 100% annual pension paid for life of $76,000 plus a Cadillac health insurance policy.

Rather than retire at 68, Charlie decided to assume senior status in 1984. This meant that Charlie only had to work 10-hours-a-week while continuing to collect a full judicial salary. That means in 2016 Charlie receives an annual salary of $199,100 which equates to $3,288 a week. Since he only has to work 10-hours-a-week, Charlie’s actual hourly rate is $328, a princely sum for a part-time worker.

For the past thirty-two (32) years, Charlie has been a senior status judge. Remaining as a senior status judge allowed Charlie to receive any and all raises provided to the federal judiciary. Therefore, Charlie’s annual wage has increased by $123,000 since he was eligible to retire in 1984.

I don’t about you, but I damn sure would not agree to have my legal matter adjudicated by someone who was 100-years-old. How about you?

And lastly, its quite clear to me that Charlie is going to refuse to retire until he sets a new record for judicial longevity by outdoing former Federal Judge Wesley Brown of Kansas who died on the bench when he was 104-years-old. For an article about Judge Brown visit the URL at the end of this article.

As we speak (ca. February 2016), Charlie remains sitting as a U.S. District Court judge in Detroit, Michigan.

Is it time for 104-year-old Kansas Federal Judge Wesley Brown to take a hike?

http://tinyurl.com/jcu9usl