Toby Heytens

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Toby Heytens
Image of Toby Heytens

Nonpartisan

United States Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit
Tenure

2021 - Present

Years in position

2

Education

Bachelor's

Macalester College, 1997

Law

University of Virginia School of Law, 2000


Toby Heytens is a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit. He was nominated to the court by President Joe Biden (D) on July 13, 2021, and confirmed by the United States Senate on November 1, 2021, by a vote of 53-43.[1][2] To see a full list of judges appointed by Joe Biden, click here.

The United States Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit is one of 13 U.S. courts of appeal. They are the intermediate appellate courts of the United States federal courts. To learn more about the court, click here.

Prior to his confirmation, Heytens was the solicitor general for the Commonwealth of Virginia.[3]

Judicial nominations and appointments

United States Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit (2021-present)

See also: Federal judges nominated by Joe Biden

On July 13, 2021, President Joe Biden (D) nominated Heytens to the United States Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit. He was confirmed by a 53-43 vote of the U.S. Senate on November 1, 2021.[2] Heytens received commission on November 2, 2021. To read more about the federal nominations process, click here.

Nomination Tracker
Fedbadgesmall.png
Nominee Information
Name: Toby Heytens
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit
Progress
Confirmed 111 days after nomination.
ApprovedANominated: July 13, 2021
ApprovedAABA Rating: Well Qualified
Questionnaire: Questionnaire
ApprovedAHearing: July 27, 2021
Hearing Transcript: Hearing Transcript
QFRs: (Hover over QFRs to read more)
ApprovedAReported: September 23, 2021 
ApprovedAConfirmed: November 1, 2021
ApprovedAVote: 53-43


Confirmation vote

The U.S. Senate confirmed Heytens by a vote of 53-43 on November 1, 2021.[2] To see a full breakdown of the vote on the official U.S. Senate website, click here.

Heytens confirmation vote (November 1, 2021)
Party Yea Nay No vote
Electiondot.png Democratic 47 0 1
Ends.png Republican 4 43 3
Grey.png Independent 2 0 0
Total 53 43 4

Senate Judiciary Committee hearing

The Senate Judiciary Committee held hearings on Heytens' nomination on July 27, 2021. The committee voted to advance Heytens' nomination to the full Senate on September 23, 2021.

Nomination

On June 30, 2021, President Joe Biden (D) announced his intent to nominate Heytens to the United States Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit.[3] The president officially nominated Heytens on July 13, 2021.[1][2]

Heytens was nominated to replace Judge Barbara Keenan, who assumed senior status on August 31, 2021.[4]

The American Bar Association rated Heytens Well Qualified.[5] To read more about ABA ratings, click here.

Biography

Education

Heytens earned a B.A. from Macalester College in 1997 and a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law in 2000.[3]

Professional career

About the court

Fourth Circuit
Court of Appeals
US-CourtOfAppeals-4thCircuit-Seal.png
Judgeships
Posts: 15
Judges: 15
Vacancies: 0
Judges
Chief: Albert Diaz
Active judges: Steven Agee, DeAndrea G. Benjamin, Nicole Berner, Albert Diaz, Roger Gregory, Pamela Harris, Toby Heytens, Allison Jones Rushing, Robert King, Paul Niemeyer, A. Marvin Quattlebaum Jr., Julius Richardson, Stephanie Thacker, J. Harvie Wilkinson, James Wynn

Senior judges:
Henry Floyd, Barbara Keenan, Diana Motz, William Traxler


The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit is a federal appellate court with appellate jurisdiction. It hears appeals from all of the circuit courts within its jurisdiction and its rulings may be appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States.

Appeals are heard in the Lewis F. Powell Jr. Federal Courthouse in Richmond, Virginia.

The Fourth Circuit has appellate jurisdiction over cases heard in one of its subsidiary districts. These cases can include civil and criminal matters that fall under federal law. Appeals of rulings by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals are petitioned to the Supreme Court of the United States. Chief Justice John Roberts is the circuit justice for the Fourth Circuit.

The court hears appeals from the United States district courts in:

To read opinions published by this court, click here.

The federal nomination process

Federal judges are nominated by the president of the United States and confirmed by the Senate. There are multiple steps to the process:

  • The president nominates an individual for a judicial seat.
  • The nominee fills out a questionnaire and is reviewed by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
  • The Senate Judiciary Committee holds a hearing with the nominee, questioning them about things like their judicial philosophy, past rulings or opinions, etc.
  • As part of this process, the committee sends a blue slip to senators from the home state in which the judicial nomination was received, allowing them to express their approval or disapproval of the nominee.
  • After the hearing, the Senate Judiciary Committee will vote to approve or return the nominee.
  • If approved, the nominee is voted on by the full Senate.
  • If the Committee votes to return the nominee to the president, the president has the opportunity to re-nominate the individual.
  • The Senate holds a vote on the candidate.
  • If the Senate confirms the nomination, the nominee receives a commission to serve a lifelong position as a federal judge.
  • If the Senate does not confirm the nomination, that nominee does not become a judge.


See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 The White House, "Nominations Sent to the Senate," July 13, 2021
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Congress.gov, "PN806 — Toby J. Heytens — The Judiciary," accessed July 14, 2021
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 The White House, "President Biden Names Fifth Round of Judicial Nominees," June 30, 2021
  4. ↑ Law360, "Judge Keenan's Exit Gives Biden 1st Opening On 4th Circ.," March 1, 2021
  5. ↑ American Bar Association, "RATINGS OF ARTICLE III AND ARTICLE IV JUDICIAL NOMINEES 117TH CONGRESS," last updated July 27, 2021

Political offices
Preceded by
- 		United States Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit
2021-Present		 Succeeded by
-



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Virginia courts

Federal courts:

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Virginia • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Virginia

State courts:

Virginia Supreme Court • Virginia Court of Appeals • Virginia Circuit Courts • Virginia District Courts • Virginia Magistrates

State resources:

Courts in Virginia • Virginia judicial elections • Judicial selection in Virginia

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