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Terrence Boyle

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Terrence Boyle
Image of Terrence Boyle
United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
Tenure

1984 - Present

Years in position

41

Education

Bachelor's

Brown University, 1967

Law

American University, Washington College of Law, 1970

Personal
Birthplace
Passaic, N.J.

Terrence William Boyle is a federal judge with the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. He joined the court in 1984 after being nominated by President Ronald Reagan (R). Boyle served as chief judge of the court from 2018 to 2021. He previously held this position from 1997 to 2004.

Early life and education

Born in Passaic, New Jersey, Boyle graduated from Brown University with his bachelor's degree in 1967 and from American University's Washington College of Law with his J.D. in 1970.[1]

Professional career

Judicial career

Eastern District of North Carolina

Nomination Tracker
Fedbadgesmall.png
Nominee Information
Name: Terrence W. Boyle
Court: United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
Progress
Confirmed 20 days after nomination.
ApprovedANominated: April 4, 1984
DefeatedAABA Rating:
Questionnaire:
ApprovedAHearing: April 11, 1984
QFRs: (Hover over QFRs to read more)
ApprovedAReported: April 12, 1984 
ApprovedAConfirmed: April 24, 1984
ApprovedAVote: Voice vote

Boyle was nominated to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina by President Ronald Reagan on April 4, 1984, to a seat vacated by Franklin Dupree. Hearings on Boyle's nomination were held before the Senate Judiciary Committee on April 11, 1984, and his nomination was reported by U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond (R-S.C.) on April 12, 1984. Boyle was confirmed on a voice vote of the U.S. Senate on April 24, 1984, and he received his commission on May 3, 1984. Boyle served as the chief judge of the district court from 1997 to 2004, and from 2018 to 2021.[1]

Noteworthy cases

Judge allows ban on coyote hunting to protect red wolves (2014)

See also: United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina (Red Wolf Coalition, et al v. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, et al, 2:13-CV-60-BO)

On February 21, 2014, Judge Boyle refused to issue an injunction against coyote hunting without first receiving additional information. In the underlying case, three conservation groups filed suit against the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission seeking to protect the red wolf population. Red wolves are an endangered species that were reintroduced to the area as part of a federal program, and the plaintiffs claimed that by allowing coyotes to be hunted, the Wildlife Resources Commission allowed red wolves to be shot, as the two species are extremely difficult to tell apart. About 14 red wolves were found dead in 2013, nine of which died from gun shot wounds. Prior to ruling, Judge Boyle requested that several questions relating to the coyote and red wolf population in the area be answered by a special master selected by the parties.[2]

Several months later, on May 13, 2014, Judge Boyle issued an injunction against the hunting of coyotes due to the number of red wolves that were inadvertently killed. Boyle's injunction addressed approximately 1.7 million acres of land that the endangered wolves were known to trek. Boyle's ruling, however, still allowed for the killing of coyotes in the case of self-defense, the safety of others, or the safety of pets or livestock. Pursuant to Boyle's ruling, the status of the injunction would be reviewed in six months.[3]

Ruffin Poole case (2010-2011)

See also: United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina (USA v. Poole, 5:10-cr-00021-BO)

From 2010 to 2011, Judge Boyle presided in the corruption trial of Ruffin Poole, a former aide to then-North Carolina Governor Mike Easley.

During a plea hearing on April 5, 2010, Poole entered pleas of "not guilty" on 57 different counts ranging from bribery to money laundering.[4]

In a plea agreement in April 2010, Poole pleaded guilty to tax evasion in order to have 50-odd corruption charges dropped. Judge Boyle sentenced him to one year and one day in prison and a $30,000 fine.[5]

See also

External links


Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by
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United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
1984-Present
Succeeded by
-