Charles R. Wilson is a senior judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Appointed in 1999, he assumed senior status in 2024. He previously served as U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Florida and as a federal magistrate judge.
We have documented 1 statement by Charles Wilson, in 1 case. Each statement below gives the quotation, its original source and a link to the full case.
Case updates
Want the next important update?
Follow "Should the Supreme Court keep New York Times v. Sullivan's rule and its public-figure extensions?" and get an email when an important development changes the record.
Important updates only. Free. Confirm your email to start. Unsubscribe anytime. How we handle your email.
Role at the time: Eleventh Circuit senior judge writing a separate concurrence
Defended or excused
Statement summary
Wilson urges judges to reconsider calls to overrule Sullivan. He relies on precedent, the consequences for speech and expectations built around the rule, while calling the historical case against Sullivan ambiguous.
“judges should reconsider their calls for the Supreme Court to overrule Sullivan.”
Read the original text (opens in a new tab)Dershowitz v. CNN: Eleventh Circuit decision and separate concurrencesMajority opinion and separate Lagoa and Wilson concurrences
Why we used this label
Wilson defends retaining Sullivan through precedent, consequences for speech and reliance interests, the fixed reference point for this case.
Thomas and Gorsuch question the constitutional basis and present-day effects of actual malice. Defenders stress protection for criticism and reporting. The Court's June 2026 refusal to hear Dershowitz's challenge left the rule in place.
