James William McCarthy (September 8, 1872 – June 28, 1939) was a United States federal judge.
Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, McCarthy received an LL.B. from New York Law School in 1898. He was in private practice in New York from 1898 to 1900. He was in private practice in Jersey City, New Jersey from 1900 to the present. He was an Alderman, Jersey City, New Jersey from 1905 to 1908. He was a Member, New Jersey State Board of Finance from 1906 to 1907. He was a judge on the Jersey City Second Criminal Court from 1907 to 1908. He was an Assistant county prosecutor, Hudson County, New Jersey from 1908 to 1918. He was a judge on the New Jersey Court for Hudson County from 1918 to 1923. He was a Counsel, New Jersey Bridge and Tunnel Commission from 1924 to 1928. He was a U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey from 1928 to 1928.
McCarthy was a federal judge on the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. McCarthy received a recess appointment from President Calvin Coolidge on October 6, 1928, to a seat vacated by John Rellstab. Formally nominated on December 6, 1928. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 8, 1929, and received his commission the same day. McCarthy served in that capacity until January 31, 1929, due to resignation.