James F. Couch Jr.

James F. Couch Jr. (c. 1918 – March 4, 1990)[1][2] was a justice of the Maryland Court of Appeals from 1982 to 1987.[3]

Early life, education, and military service

Born in Des Moines, Iowa, Couch attended Western High School in Maryland, and received his undergraduate degree from George Washington University, and a law degree from American University's Washington College of Law, 1941.[2][4] He served in the United States Army in World War II.[2] After the war, Couch entered private practice, in which he "did mainly civil work" until he became a judge.[1][4]

Judicial service

In 1971, Couch was appointed to the county Prince George's County district court.[1] The following year, Couch was elevated to the Circuit Court encompassing Prince George's County and Southern Maryland, where he served until 1977.[1][2][4] He then served on Maryland's Court of Special Appeals from 1977 to 1982,[1][2] during which time, Couch chaired the state's Judicial Ethics Committee, resigning from that position upon his elevation to the state supreme court.[4]

On February 17, 1982, he was appointed by Governor Harry Hughes to serve on the Court of Appeals, remaining until his retirement in 1987.[2][4] At the time of his appointment in 1982, it was reported that he had "not shown any definite political or social policy in his decisions", but had a reputation "as a moderate conservative".[4]

At the time of his death he was the "only judge to have served at all four levels of Maryland's courts".[2][4]

Personal life and death

On February 28, 1941, Couch married Evelyn Brodie of Aiken County, South Carolina,[5] with whom had one son.[1] Couch died of cancer at Washington Adventist Hospital at the age of 72.[1][2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Retired Judge Couch dies at age of 72", The Baltimore Evening Sun (March 6, 1990), p. D1.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "James F. Couch Jr., Maryland Appeals Judge". The Washington Post. March 5, 1990.
  3. ^ "Maryland Court of Appeals Judges, 1778–". Archives of Maryland. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g "James F. Couch bio". The Baltimore Sun. February 21, 1982. p. 24 – via newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Marriage of Brodie / Couch", Aiken Standard (March 26, 1941), p. 5.
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