Susan D. Wigenton Explained

Susan Davis Wigenton
Office:Judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
Term Start:June 12, 2006
Appointer:George W. Bush
Predecessor:John Winslow Bissell
Office1:Magistrate Judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
Term Start1:2000
Term End1:June 12, 2006
Birth Date:12 October 1962
Education:Norfolk State University (BA)
College of William & Mary (JD)

Susan Davis Wigenton (born October 12, 1962)[1] is a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.

Early life and education

Born in Neptune Township, New Jersey, Wigenton grew up with three brothers in a sports-oriented family headed by her pastor father.[2] She graduated from Norfolk State University with her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1984 and later from The College of William & Mary Law School with a Juris Doctor in 1987.

Career

Wigenton was a law clerk for Judge Lawrence Lawson of the New Jersey Superior Court from 1987 to 1988 before serving in private practice in the State of New Jersey from 1988 to 2000 at Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla, P.C., Middletown, New Jersey, where she was a Partner/Shareholder. She also served as the Public Defender for the City of Asbury Park, from 1989 until 1993[3]

Federal judicial service

Wigenton was a United States magistrate judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey from 2000 to 2006. She was nominated to be a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey by President George W. Bush on January 25, 2006, to a seat vacated by Judge John Winslow Bissell, who retired from the bench. Wigenton was confirmed by the Senate on May 26, 2006 by a voice vote. She received her commission on June 12, 2006.

Notable cases

Wigenton presided over the trial of Andrew Auernheimer for alleged cybercrimes. The trial resulted in Auernheimer's conviction on two counts, but on April 11, 2014, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit reversed the conviction for improper venue under the Sixth Amendment, holding that the online conduct of Auernheimer, a resident of Arkansas, did not have a sufficient nexus to New Jersey, where the trial was held.[4]

Wigenton was the presiding judge for the trial concerning the Fort Lee lane closure scandal known as Bridgegate.[5]

Personal life

Wigenton is married to Kevin Wigenton, an attorney in private practice in Red Bank, New Jersey.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Confirmation Hearings on Federal Appointments: Hearings Before the Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, One Hundred Ninth Congress, First Session. United States Congress Senate Committee on the Judiciary. 1 January 2006. U.S. Government Printing Office. Google Books.
  2. http://www.livinginmedia.com/article/susan_wigenton_united_states_district_judge.html Susan Wigenton - United States District Judge
  3. Web site: Hon. Susan D. Wigenton .
  4. News: U.S. court voids man's conviction for hacking celebrities' iPads. 2014-04-11. Reuters. 2016-06-16.
  5. Web site: Bridgegate jury seated, trial ready to begin. PAUL BERGER and PETER J.. SAMPSON.