A federal judge with a lifetime appointment, the Honorable Larry Burns is responsible for making decisions that affect not just individuals but the entire nation. Appointed to his current position as a U.S. district judge by President George W. Bush in May 2003, Burns was confirmed by Congress, 91-0, in September of the same year.
Burns was a prosecutor in the San Diego court system for 18 years, where former colleagues and opposing lawyers rated him among the best attorneys in the system. He then became a magistrate judge and earned recognition as 2002 Judge of the Year by the Consumer Trial Lawyers Association of San Diego.
Currently, Burns hears both civil and criminal cases. Federal courts have civil jurisdiction over interstate cases, as well as laws Congress passes related to maritime activities, employment, taxes, and other issues. Federal criminal cases often involve crimes that affect the entire country, such as drug smuggling, illegal immigration, terrorism, and large-scale commercial fraud. Judge Burns often presides over high profile cases, such as the recent sentencing of former California congressman Randy “Duke” Cunningham and the current case involving alleged Mexican drug cartel leader Francisco Javier Arellano Félix.
The most difficult part of his job, Burns says, is sentencing those who are convicted.
“As a judge, I must conscientiously make decisions based on the law and legal precedents even when I don’t personally agree. I try to look at a person’s whole life and give credit for the good parts,” he explained. For example, although Cunningham was convicted of taking bribes for government contracts, the former congressman served two combat tours in Viet Nam during which he earned the designation of ‘Ace’ for shooting down five enemy planes. Burns had to balance Cunningham's demonstrated bravery and past service to his country against his breach of trust as an elected official.
Burns appreciates the education he received at Point Loma (76), especially his PLNU major in English and speech and his experience on the debate team.
“New trial lawyers are often insecure about their trade. Even though law school teaches you about the law, most people still have stage fright when they have to stand in front of a jury. I didn’t. In so many ways, my time at Point Loma was a cornerstone for the rest of my life. I learned to write, to make a good speech, and was surrounded by people who inspired me to do well. My time at Point Loma also crystallized my moral compass,” Burns said.