American judge (born 1977)
Benjamin Jerome Cheeks (born 1977)[ 1] is an American lawyer who has served as a United States magistrate judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of California since July 2024. He is the designate to serve as a United States district judge of the same court.
Early life and education
Cheeks is the son of Rosetta Cheeks and the late Jerome Leon Cheeks. He is a graduate of the Blanche Ely High School .[ 2] He received a Bachelor of Arts from the Miami University in 2000 and a Juris Doctor from American University Washington College of Law in 2003.[ 3]
Career
From 2003 to 2010, Cheeks served as an assistant district attorney in the New York County District Attorney's Office . From 2010 to 2013, he served as an assistant United States attorney in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California. From 2013 to 2024, he was a criminal defense lawyer in private practice at the Law Offices of Benjamin J. Cheeks, A.P.C. in San Diego .[ 3]
Federal judicial service
On March 28, 2024, he was selected as a United States magistrate judge.[ 2] On July 19, 2024, he was sworn in as a United States magistrate judge of the Southern District of California. He filled the vacancy left by the retirement of Judge Bernard Skomal.[ 4]
Nomination to district court
On October 23, 2024, President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate Cheeks to serve as a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of California .[ 3] On November 18, 2024, his nomination was sent to the Senate. President Biden nominated Cheeks to the seat vacated by Judge Gonzalo P. Curiel , who assumed senior status on September 7, 2023.[ 5] [ 6] On November 20, 2024, a hearing on his nomination was held before the Senate Judiciary Committee .[ 7] On December 12, 2024, his nomination was favorably reported out of committee by an 11–10 party-line vote .[ 8] On December 20, 2024, the United States Senate invoked cloture on his nomination by a 49–47 vote.[ 9] Later that day, his nomination was confirmed by a 49–47 vote.[ 10] He is awaiting his judicial commission.
Personal life
Cheeks is married to Dr. Brenda Perez-Cheeks, and they have two sons.[ 2]
See also
References
^ "Questionnaire for Judicial Nominees" . United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary. Retrieved November 20, 2024 .
^ a b c Henry, Carma (August 1, 2024). "A MOMENT IN HISTORY – BENJAMIN JEROME CHEEKS, former graduate of Blanche Ely High School, is the newest Federal Magistrate Judge in San Diego, CA" . thewestsidegazette.com . Retrieved October 23, 2024 .
^ a b c "President Biden Names Fifty-Fifth Round of Judicial Nominees" (Press release). Washington, D.C.: The White House. October 23, 2024. Retrieved October 23, 2024 . This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
^ Figueora, Terri (July 25, 2024). "Prosecutor turned defense attorney is newest federal magistrate judge in San Diego" . San Diego Union-Tribune . Retrieved October 23, 2024 .
^ "Biden nominates federal judges to courts in Santa Ana and San Diego" . www.dailyjournal.com . October 24, 2024. Retrieved October 24, 2024 .
^ "Nominations Sent to the Senate" (Press release). Washington, D.C.: The White House. November 18, 2024.
^ "Nominations" . Washington, D.C.: United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary . November 20, 2024.
^ "Results of Executive Business Meeting – December 12, 2024" (PDF) . United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary . December 12, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024 .
^ "On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture: Benjamin J. Cheeks to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of California)" . United States Senate . December 20, 2024. Retrieved December 20, 2024 .
^ "On the Nomination (Confirmation: Benjamin J. Cheeks, of California, to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of California)" . United States Senate . December 20, 2024. Retrieved December 20, 2024 .
External links