Background
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Carnes is the daughter of Georgia state court judge Charles Carnes.
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Carnes is the daughter of Georgia state court judge Charles Carnes.
She received the Bachelor of Arts from the University of Georgia in 1972 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1975. She was a law clerk to the Honorary Lewis R. Morgan, United States. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit from 1975 to 1977.
Carnes was an Assistant United States. Attorney in the United States. Attorney" General’ s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, from 1978 to 1990 and was Appellate Chief of the Criminal Division from 1987 to 1989.
Service on the District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
On August 1, 1991, Carnes was nominated by President George H. West. Bush to a seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia vacated by Robert H. Hall. She was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 6, 1992 and received her commission on February 10, 1992.
From 2009 to 2014 she served as chief judge. Service on the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals
On December 19, 2013, President Barack Obama nominated Judge Carnes to a vacant seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit due to James Larry Edmondson assuming senior status She received a hearing before the full panel of the United States Senate Judiciary Committee on May 13, 2014.
On June 19, 2014 her nomination was reported out of committee by voice vote.
On July 16, 2014, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid filed a motion to invoke cloture on Carnes" nomination. On July 17, 2014 the motion to invoke cloture was agreed to by a vote of 68-23. On July 21, 2014 the United States Senate voted 94-0 to elevate Carnes to the Eleventh Circuit.
She received her judicial commission on July 31, 2014.
She was a member of the United States. Attorney General"s Advisory Committee on Sentencing Guidelines from 1988 to 1990 and was a Special Counsel to the United States. Sentencing Commission in 1989 and a Commissioner on the United States. Sentencing Commission from 1990 to 1996.