In announcing the panel’s selection, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia
Sotomayor, who chaired the panel stated: “For over twenty-seven years,
Chief Judge Ricardo H. Hinojosa has served with highly noteworthy
distinction as a dedicated federal jurist and committed public servant.
In addition to serving as a member of an impressive list of Judicial
Conference committees and advisory groups during his extensive judicial
service, Judge Hinojosa was a member and then Chair of the United States
Sentencing Commission from 2003 until 2009. He is credited with having
stabilized the work of the Commission during the aftermath of the
Supreme Court’s decision in United States v. Booker that
declared the Sentencing Guidelines advisory. Judge Hinojosa also
shepherded the Commission’s work in recommending and implementing
measures to reduce the sentencing disparities between crack cocaine and
cocaine powder offenses, an issue that had been under consideration by
the Commission for many years. Judge Hinojosa has also handled one of
the busiest criminal dockets in the nation and devoted himself to a wide
variety of community activities.”
Judges who have worked with Judge Hinojosa describe him as “tireless,
modest, effective, intelligent, patriotic, compassionate, seasoned,
[and] knowledgeable,” with “common sense, good judgment, the ability to
chart a successful path to a long-term goal, and complete dedication to
the judiciary as an institution.” According to his former colleagues on
the Commission, his “chairmanship exemplified the best in government
stewardship,” earning him “great credibility and trust.” In all he has
done and does, Judge Hinojosa reflects the values of distinguished
service that the recipients of the Devitt Award embody.
President Reagan appointed Judge Hinojosa to the U.S. District Court for
the Southern District of Texas in 1983, where he has served as Chief
Judge since 2009. Judge Hinojosa was born in Rio Grande City, Texas.
Before joining the bench, he practiced in his now-hometown of McAllen,
Texas. He continues his service to the U.S. Judicial Conference.
Chief Judge Hinojosa was chosen by a three-member panel chaired by
Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor of the U.S. Supreme Court. Other
members of the panel were Judge Robert A. Katzmann of the U.S. Court of
Appeals for the Second Circuit and Senior Judge Marvin E. Aspen of the
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
The Devitt Distinguished Service to Justice Award is named for the late
Edward J. Devitt, longtime chief judge of the U.S. District Court for
the District of Minnesota. The award honors Article III judges whose
careers have been exemplary, measured by their significant contributions
to the administration of justice, the advancement of the rule of law,
and the improvement of society as a whole. It is administered by the
American Judicature Society with funding provided by the Dwight D.
Opperman Foundation.
The award will be presented at a ceremony later this year.
The Devitt Distinguished Service
to Justice Award is named for the late Edward J. Devitt, longtime chief
judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota. The award
honors Article III judges whose careers have been exemplary, measured by
their significant contributions to the administration of justice, the
advancement of the rule of law, and the improvement of society as a whole.
It is administered by the American Judicature Society with funding provided
by the Dwight D. Opperman Foundation. 