Joseph Martin Hood, January 29, 2019
Description
Joseph M. Hood is a Senior Judge on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky.
In this oral history, Judge Hood discusses his experiences as district judge on the Eastern District Court. He describes moving between duty stations, his perspective on criminal sentencing, and notable cases he has presided over—particularly cases arising out of Operation Boptrot, the federal investigation of corruption among Kentucky legislators. Hood also shares how he manages his courtroom, what he looks for in law clerks, and life as a senior judge. The oral history concludes with his thoughts on Judge John G. Heyburn II.
Born in Ashland in 1942, Judge Hood received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky in 1965 and his law degree from UK College of Law in 1972. Following law school, he clerked for District Court Judge Hermansdorfer. When a new magistrate position opened on the Court, the federal judges on the bench selected him to fill the seat. He served in the role until 1990, when President George H. W. Bush nominated him to serve as a judge for the Eastern District Court, to a seat vacated by Judge Scott Reed. The Senate confirmed his nomination on April 27, 1990. Hood served as chief judge from 2005 to 2007, until he assumed senior status on October 14, 2007.
In this oral history, Judge Hood discusses his experiences as district judge on the Eastern District Court. He describes moving between duty stations, his perspective on criminal sentencing, and notable cases he has presided over—particularly cases arising out of Operation Boptrot, the federal investigation of corruption among Kentucky legislators. Hood also shares how he manages his courtroom, what he looks for in law clerks, and life as a senior judge. The oral history concludes with his thoughts on Judge John G. Heyburn II.
Born in Ashland in 1942, Judge Hood received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky in 1965 and his law degree from UK College of Law in 1972. Following law school, he clerked for District Court Judge Hermansdorfer. When a new magistrate position opened on the Court, the federal judges on the bench selected him to fill the seat. He served in the role until 1990, when President George H. W. Bush nominated him to serve as a judge for the Eastern District Court, to a seat vacated by Judge Scott Reed. The Senate confirmed his nomination on April 27, 1990. Hood served as chief judge from 2005 to 2007, until he assumed senior status on October 14, 2007.
Date
2019-01-29
Interviewer
Anu Kasarabada
Interviewee
Joseph Martin Hood
Interview Keyword
Attorneys
Criminal cases
Death penalty
Duty stations
Federal judges
Mandatory minimums
Operation Boptrot
Public corruption
Senior status
Sentencing guidelines
Trial judges
Rights
Property rights reside with the University of Kentucky. For information about permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the University of Kentucky Libraries, Special Collections Research Center.
Citation
Joseph Martin Hood, January 29, 2019, John G. Heyburn II Initiative for Excellence in the Federal Judiciary Oral History Project, Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.
