Meet Ryan D. Nelson, newly appointed Appellate Court Justice

It’s not just that Mr. Nelson, an Idaho attorney, has leapfrogged over the U.S. District Court bench to garner President Trump’s lifetime appointment to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

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Mr. Nelson was confirmed by the full Senate on Oct. 11 by a vote of 51-44, with just one Democrat, Sen. Doug Jones of Alabama, voting to confirm.

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Mr. Nelson has no prior experience as a judge, but he’s no stranger to traffic courts. Mr. Nelson has received at least 28 traffic citations over the past two decades, and was found or pleaded guilty in about two-thirds of those cases, paying more than $1,300 in fines, court records show—a far higher rate than most Idahoans and nationwide.

He’s gotten tickets for speeding, disobeying traffic lights and signs, illegal turns, seat-belt violations, not carrying proof of insurance, skipping an auto inspection and not registering his vehicle. He’s been cited on his boat as well. In some cases, he fought the law and the law lost.

  WSJ

Do not try this at home.

Retired Idaho Magistrate Judge Stephen J. Clark handled two tickets involving Mr. Nelson in 2010 and 2011, including one where Mr. Nelson was cited for going 77 mph in a 35 mph zone in Idaho Falls.

Said Judge Clark: “You hope the person who is wearing the robe is going to follow the law.”

Even if not, his citations might help him on the appellate court, said Stephen Gillers, a New York University law professor: “Maybe he will bring a little bit of empathy to recidivists that come to the circuit.”

I'm not holding my breath.

...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.