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United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico

Legislative History

September 12, 1966
80 Stat. 764
This act granted life tenure during good behavior to future appointments to the two judgeships for the District of Puerto Rico, thus placing the court in the same status as other U.S. district courts. Congress in 1900 (31 Stat. 77) first organized the district court of Puerto Rico and provided for one judge to be appointed for a four-year term.  In 1915, the judicial district of Puerto Rico was assigned to the First Circuit. An act of 1938 (52 Stat. 118) changed the judge’s term of office to eight years. In 1961, Congress (75 Stat. 80) authorized a second judge for the district. 
June 2, 1970
84 Stat. 294
One additional judgeship authorized.
October 20, 1978
92 Stat. 1629
Four additional judgeships authorized.

Authorized Judgeships 

1966
2
1970
3
1978
7

For additional information, see Federal Judicial Center's History of the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico.