Micah Smith started working in the U.S. Attorney鈥檚 Office in Hawaii in 2018 and has handled some of the state鈥檚 highest profile criminal cases.

WASHINGTON 鈥� The U.S. Senate voted Wednesday to confirm Micah Smith as a federal judge for the U.S. District Court of Hawaii. 

Smith, a Kauai High School graduate, is an assistant U.S. attorney, who early in his career worked as a law clerk for former Supreme Court Justice David Souter. 

In Hawaii, Smith has been involved in some of the state鈥檚 highest profile criminal cases, including the ongoing federal prosecution of alleged organized crime boss Michael Miske. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Micah Smith , seen here during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, was confirmed as a U.S. District Court judge. (Screenshot/2023)

Smith was nominated by President Joe Biden to replace U.S. District Court Judge J. Michael Seabright, another former prosecutor. 

Despite being a Democratic pick, he faced little resistance from Republicans during his confirmation hearing in October. He was confirmed in a bipartisan vote of 57-41. 

Hawaii U.S. Sens. Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono issued a joint statement after voting for Smith鈥檚 confirmation, saying he has proven to be a 鈥渇air and impartial jurist.鈥�

鈥淗e has the legal acumen as well as the character and temperament to serve on the federal bench,鈥� the senators said. 鈥淲e were proud to support his nomination and look forward to him serving Hawai鈥榠 and the nation with integrity.鈥�

On Thursday, the Senate is expected to vote on the confirmation of Shanlyn Park, another Biden nominee to the federal bench. If confirmed, Park will become the first Native Hawaiian woman to serve as a U.S. District Court judge. 

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