Raymond L. Finch | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Senior Judge of the District Court of the Virgin Islands | |
| In office August 15, 2008 – August 22, 2018 | |
| Chief Judge of the District Court of the Virgin Islands | |
| In office 1999–2005 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas K. Moore |
| Succeeded by | Curtis V. Gómez |
| Judge of the District Court of the Virgin Islands | |
| In office September 1, 1994 – August 15, 2008 | |
| Nominated by | Bill Clinton George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | David V. O'Brien |
| Succeeded by | Wilma A. Lewis |
| Judge of the Territorial Court of the Virgin Islands | |
| In office 1976–1994 | |
| Nominated by | Cyril King |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 4, 1940 Christiansted, U.S. Virgin Islands |
| Died | February 23, 2023 (aged 82) |
| Education | Howard University (BA, LLB) |
Raymond Lawrence Finch (October 4, 1940 – February 23, 2023[1]) was an American judge. He served as a judge of the District Court of the Virgin Islands from 1994 to 2018.
Finch was born on Saint Croix, in Christiansted, the son of Wilfred C. and Beryl Finch.[2][3] He graduated from Christiansted High School in 1958, Howard University with a B.A. in Political Science in 1962, and Howard University School of Law with an LL.B. in 1965.[2][3]
He served as law clerk to Alexander Farrelly and Antonio L. Joseph of the Municipal Court of the Virgin Islands. He served as a judge advocate in the U.S. Army in Vietnam from 1966 to 1969, first as a first lieutenant, then as a captain, earning a Bronze Star Medal. He then joined the law firm of Hodge & Sheen, and was admitted to the Virgin Islands Bar in 1970. He became a partner in the firm of Hodge, Sheen, Finch & Ross the following year. He was appointed by Governor Cyril King as a judge of the Municipal Court in 1976. He served on the court, which was renamed the Territorial Court the following year, until 1994.[3]
Finch was nominated to the District Court of the Virgin Islands by George H. W. Bush on June 19, 1992. His nomination expired later that year.[4] On March 22, 1994, he was nominated to the same court by Bill Clinton, and he was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 6, 1994.[5] He was sworn in on September 1, 1994, and served as the Chief Judge of the District Court from 1999 to 2005.[3] As his 10-year term was expiring, Finch was renominated to the same court by George W. Bush on February 2, 2004, and was confirmed by the Senate on November 21, 2004.[6] He assumed senior status on August 15, 2008.[7] He ended his judicial service on August 22, 2018.[1]