Daugherty received a recess appointment from President John F. Kennedy on October 5, 1961, to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma and the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, to a new joint seat created by 75 Stat. 80. He was nominated to the same seat by President Kennedy on January 15, 1962. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 7, 1962, and received his commission on February 17, 1962. He served as Chief Judge of the Western District from 1972 to 1982 and as Chief Judge of the Eastern District from 1973 to 1975. He assumed senior status on January 12, 1982. He served as a Judge of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court from 1981 to 1988 and as a Judge of the Temporary Emergency Court of Appeals from 1982 to 1993. His service was terminated on April 7, 2006, due to his death.
