4th Cir.
Law & Legal abbreviation · Court
| Stands for | United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit |
|---|---|
| Categories | Law & Legal |
4th Cir. stands for United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, a court abbreviation.
Richmond-based federal appeals court for Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. It hears many national security, terrorism and government-contract appeals from the Eastern District of Virginia, along with frequent election and voting-rights cases.
Example: The 4th Cir. heard argument in Richmond on whether the state's congressional map diluted minority votes.
Usage notes
Its judges traditionally step down from the bench after each argument to shake hands with counsel, a courtesy that distinguishes it from other circuits. Once regarded as one of the most conservative circuits, it changed markedly in composition during the 2010s. It has 15 authorized judgeships. Citation form: "(4th Cir. 2016)".
Related abbreviations
More court abbreviations
- 10th Cir. – United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
- 11th Cir. – United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- 1st Cir. – United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
- 2d Cir. – United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- 3d Cir. – United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- 5th Cir. – United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- 6th Cir. – United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- 7th Cir. – United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- 8th Cir. – United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
- 9th Cir. – United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- AAG – Assistant attorney general
- ADA – Assistant district attorney
See all 87 court abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not legal advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.