On July 21, 1953, Dawkins was nominated by
President Dwight D. Eisenhower to a seat on the
United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana vacated by his father,
Benjamin C. Dawkins Sr. The younger Dawkins was confirmed by the
United States Senate on July 31, 1953, and received his commission four days later. He served as chief judge from 1953 to 1973. Dawkins assumed
senior status due to a certified disability on August 6, 1973, at which time his successor,
Tom Stagg was appointed by President
Richard Nixon. Dawkins continued to serve in senior status until his death eleven years later on August 31, 1984, in Shreveport. ==Interviews and transcripts==