U.S. Circuit Judge Pauline Newman (Screengrab via YouTube).
A 97-year-old federal judge, who has been challenging her suspension due to mental health reasons for more than a year, received backing from two legal groups on Thursday.
Pauline Newman, a 1984 Ronald Reagan appointee, “served with distinction” for almost 40 years on the Federal Circuit. However, when her judicial colleagues began reporting concerning behaviors, delays in the judge’s work, and habitual confusion, the circuit commenced an investigation into the judge’s mental health. Newman, however, refused to cooperate.
Nonetheless, the Committee on Judicial Conduct and Disability made a finding based on what it called “overwhelming evidence” of Newman’s memory loss, lack of comprehension, and confusion, directing the judge to undergo a 30-45 minute interview with a neurologist and a full neuropsychological examination.
