Choate was a United States Army major from 1917 to 1918, during World War I.

[1] Choate was nominated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on June 22, 1954, to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, to a new seat authorized by 68 Stat.

He was confirmed by the United States Senate on July 20, 1954, and received his commission the same day.

His service terminated on August 14, 1974, due to his death.

[1] Among his cases was that of Richard Paul Pavlick, a would-be-assassin stalking President-elect John F.