September
Effects of Hurricane Gustav Continue to Close Several Court Locations- September 03, 2008
Some federal courts in Louisiana and Texas remain closed due to the effects of Hurricane Gustav, but they are scheduled to resume operations soon. Federal courts in the Western District of Louisiana, with the exception of in the cities of Alexandria and Lake Charles, reopened today. Details.
Hurricane Gustav Closes Multiple Federal Court Locations- September 02, 2008
Federal courts in three southern states are closed due to the effects of Hurricane Gustav. Links to each of the courts closed Tuesday, September 2, 2008, are provided. Details.
August
Federal Courts Improve On Jury Service Efficiency- August 28, 2008
The nation's federal courts did a better job of utilizing those individuals who reported for jury service in the 12-month period that ended June 30, 2008. Details.
Offenders Shown Different Way By Community Service- August 25, 2008
In fiscal year 2007, 26,055 of all post-conviction cases in federal courts - 13.2 percent - included community service conditions. Details.
Cost-Containment The Norm For Federal Courts- August 25, 2008
The federal judiciary initiated a comprehensive strategy that included sweeping cost-containment measures over five years ago. The efforts continue. Details.
Personal Data Identifiers May Not Be Part of the Record- August 25, 2008
To protect the privacy of litigants, the Federal Rules of Practice and Procedure require that certain personal data identifiers be modified or partially redacted from federal court case files. Details.
Newly Updated: Federal Courts' Privacy Policy- August 20, 2008
The federal court system's privacy policy, as developed by the Judicial Conference of the United States, was updated earlier this year, and this site's privacy policy page was revised in August to reflect the changes.
Judicial Facts and Figures For 2007 Newly Posted- August 20, 2008
Want to know how many federal judges work in the courts of appeals, district courts, and bankruptcy courts? You can find those statistics, and many more, in the newly posted 2007 Judicial Facts and Figures.
WARNING: Fraudulent Scheme Invokes Federal Bankruptcy Court- August 19, 2008
The federal court system has become aware of a fraudulent scheme that may be affecting victims throughout the country. Persons are told in telephone calls that they owe money to pay the debt of others. Details.
New Data Reported On Crack Cocaine Cases- August 11, 2008
The U.S. Sentencing Commission has provided Congress with updated data concerning motions to reduce the length of imprisonment for certain offenders convicted prior to November 1, 2007, of offenses involving crack cocaine. Report.
July
Federal Judiciary Opposes Bill Involving Discovery and Settlements- July 31, 2008
A bill intended to prevent parties from using the federal judicial process to conceal matters that harm the public health or safety circumvents the prescribed method of changing court rules, a federal judge told a congressional subcommittee. Details. Text.
Federal Courts Hit Hard By Increased Border Enforcement- July 22, 2008
The five federal trial courts along the nation's southwest border are feeling the impact of newly stepped-up enforcement of immigration laws. Details.
Congress Receives First Report Required by Bankruptcy Law- July 22, 2008
The first annual report to Congress containing new bankruptcy statistics mandated by the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 was filed by the Administrative Office in advance of the July 1, 2008 deadline. Details. Report.
New Members Named To Executive Committee- July 22, 2008
Chief Judge David Sentelle (D.C. Cir.) and Judge Alan Johnson (Wyo.) have been appointed by Chief Justice John Roberts to the Executive Committee of the Judicial Conference of the United States. Details.
Performance-Based Contract Awarded for BNC- July 22, 2008
A new contract to mail more than a billion bankruptcy notices over 10 years will save the judiciary millions of dollars, even while it provides financial incentives for the contractor to offer new features, more efficiencies, and improved customer service. Details.
Monograph Updated For Key Civil Rights Law- July 16, 2008
The Federal Judicial Center has published an updated monograph on a key civil rights law, Section 1983 of the U.S. Code's Title 42. The law authorizes lawsuits against state and municipal officials, municipal entities, and even some private parties. Monograph.
Federal Court in Iowa Copes with Flooding- July 11, 2008
Aided by its Continuity of Operations Plan, a federal court in Iowa moves quickly to recover from severe flooding in Cedar Rapids. Video.
Symposium on Prison Alternatives Hosted by Sentencing Commission- July 08, 2008
The U.S. Sentencing Commission will host a Symposium on Crime and Alternatives to Incarceration July 14-15 in Washington, D.C. Agenda.
June
Federal Judges Respond To Jury Service Call- June 30, 2008
When not presiding from the bench, many federal judges are happy to fulfill their civic duty and answer calls for jury service. Details.
Federal Court Relocates To Iowa Fairgrounds- June 24, 2008
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa temporarily relocated a number of judges and other court personnel and services from Cedar Rapids to Waterloo so it could better handle numerous immigration cases. Details.
Pilot Project Update: Digital Audio Recordings Online- June 24, 2008
In a pilot project that began last August, five federal courts are making some digital audio recordings available on the Internet. Details.
Written Exams Scheduled For Federal Court Interpreters- June 24, 2008
The written examination for the Spanish/English Federal Court Interpreter Certification Examination will be offered in 33 locations nationwide September 20, 2008. Registration for the exam will close on August 4. Details.
Federal Capital Habeas Project Provides Assistance to Courts- June 24, 2008
A federal judiciary initiative provides consultation and assistance to courts adjudicating, and to defense counsel litigating, habeas corpus appeals in death penalty cases. Details.
Historic Naturalization Ceremony Held at Arlington National Cemetery- June 17, 2008
Unlike the hundreds of thousands of immigrants who each year attend naturalization ceremonies in federal courthouses, parks, or arenas, some became new citizens in a first-ever ceremony at Arlington National Ceremony. Video.
Courthouse in Cedar Rapids Closed Due to Flooding- June 13, 2008
A federal courthouse was closed temporarily due to flooding in downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa implemented its Continuity of Operations (COOP) response. Details. Photo.
Crime Victims' Rights Act Key Provisions Explained- June 11, 2008
A newly published paper available on the Federal Judicial Center's web site provides an overview of key provisions of the Crime Victims' Rights Act, and more. Details.
Federal Court in Los Angeles Hosts Teens for Law Day- June 05, 2008
Some 840 high school students from 16 different public high schools in Los Angeles County helped celebrate Law Day at the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California over a four-day period in late April. Details.
Bankruptcies Soar 30 Percent In Latest 12-Month Period- June 03, 2008
There were 901,927 bankruptcy cases filed in the 12-month period ending March 31, 2008, a total that is 30 percent higher than the 695,575 filings for the same period ending March 31, 2007. The 245,695 cases filed in the first quarter of 2008 is the highest quarterly total since 2005. News Release.
Emergency Response Exercise Includes Federal Court Participants- June 02, 2008
Some federal judiciary offices in the Washington, D.C., area tested their Continuity of Operations Plans in a joint federal exercise called Eagle Horizon. Video.
May
Judge Deanell Reece Tacha Wins Distinguished Service Award- May 28, 2008
Judge Deanell Reece Tacha of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit has been selected as the recipient of the 26th annual Edward J. Devitt Distinguished Service to Justice Award. Details.
Judges Bring History To Naturalization Ceremonies- May 28, 2008
Last year, 450,275 people became naturalized citizens in federal court ceremonies. Federal judges consider naturalization ceremonies an important part of their mission. Details.
Crack Cocaine: Smooth Sailing For Resentencing Process- May 22, 2008
Federal district courts generally are coping well with the sudden increase in their workloads that occurred when a retroactive reduction in penalties for 21,000 crack cocaine offenders took effect. Details.
Public Comments Aid Code of Conduct Change- May 22, 2008
Proposed revisions to the Code of Conduct for United States Judges drew relatively few public comments that, nevertheless, included a wide range of suggestions. Details. Public Comments.
Majority of Appellate Courts Now Live with CM/ECF- May 22, 2008
Nine of the 12 regional courts of appeals are now live with the case management component of the Case Management/Electronic Case Files system. Details.
New Outreach Lesson: 'Texting While Driving'- May 22, 2008
A new lesson offered by the federal judiciary's educational outreach program speaks especially to young people - the study of a civil case arising from a car crash that may have been caused by text-messaging while driving. Details.
Jury Service: The Basics On What You Need to Know- May 14, 2008
The importance, history and constitutional foundations of jury service, and additional insights for any prospective juror, is part of this web site's educational outreach information. Details.
FY 2007 Costs Calculated For Incarceration, Supervision- May 06, 2008
In fiscal year 2007, it cost $24,922 to keep someone incarcerated in a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility for 12 months, and $3,621.64 to keep a federal offender on supervised release for 12 months. Details.
Public Comments Received on Code of Conduct Proposals- May 05, 2008
The Judicial Conference's Committee on Codes of Conduct, which in March sought public comments on proposed revisions to the Code of Conduct, has received and posted the comments.
Law Day 2008: 'Government Under Law'- May 01, 2008
For the 50th consecutive year, May 1 is Law Day, "a day of national dedication to the principle of government under law." Details.
Pioneer Courthouse Is Portland Landmark- May 01, 2008
The Pioneer Courthouse in Portland, Oregon, has won an award for historic preservation. Details.
Where the Money Goes In Fiscal Year 2008- May 01, 2008
Take a look at how the federal Judiciary is spending its $6.25 billion in appropriations for the current fiscal year. Details.
April
Wiretaps in 2007 Up By 20 Percent- April 30, 2008
The number of intercepted wire, oral or electronic communications - also known as wiretaps - authorized by federal and state courts in 2007 was 20 percent higher than in 2006. News Release.
Victims Group Formed By Sentencing Commission- April 25, 2008
The U.S. Sentencing Commission has formed an advisory group to provide it with advice on the operation of federal sentencing guidelines from the perspective of victims of federal crime. Details.
Judge Anthony Scirica Named to High Judicial Conference Post- April 25, 2008
Chief Justice John Roberts has appointed Anthony Scirica, chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, to chair the Executive Committee of the Judicial Conference of the United States. News Release.
IT Long Range Plan Update Newly Posted- April 24, 2008
The fiscal year 2008 update to the Long Range Plan for Information Technology in the Federal Judiciary articulates five-year directions and objectives for the judiciary's information technology program. Update.
Courts Help Fight Financial Illiteracy- April 21, 2008
April is Financial Literacy Month. U.S. bankruptcy courts are doing their part to help educate Americans about financial responsibility. Details.
Court's Information Available On Website's Mobile Version- April 21, 2008
The U.S. District Court in Chicago is what is believed to be the first federal court to offer a mobile version of its website - "information for those on the move." Details.
CJA Representations Costly for Lawyers- April 21, 2008
Private attorneys who represent indigent criminal defendants under the Criminal Justice Act earn $100 an hour, with an average hourly overhead of $64 per hour. Details.
Federal Class Action Cases Rose by 72 Per Cent, Study Finds- April 18, 2008
An interim report on the impact of the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005 notes a 72 percent increase in class action cases for comparable periods in 2001 and 2007 in 88 federal district courts. Due later this year is a report on the act's impact on judicial activity and resources needed to manage and resolve class actions. Report (pdf).
Bankruptcy Filings Shot Up In Calendar Year 2007- April 15, 2008
Bankruptcy filings in federal courts rose 38 percent in calendar year 2007, up to 850,912. News Release.
Terrorism-Related Cases Focus of New Publication- April 03, 2008
A new publication from the Federal Judicial Center discusses methods federal judges have employed to meet the challenges posed by cases related to terrorism. Details.
March
CVB, Forest Service Launch E-Ticketing- March 24, 2008
The federal Judiciary's Central Violations Bureau teamed with the U.S. Forest Service for a pilot project that has equipped a small group of officers with an especially rugged laptop and printer in their vehicles. Details.
Rent Agreement Signed By Judiciary, GSA- March 24, 2008
A courthouse rents pact "will not only result in lower budget requests from the Judiciary, but it also provides the Judiciary with some measure of predictability for its budget," says Administrative Office Director James C. Duff. Details.
Improved Juror Utilization Notched by Courts in 2007- March 21, 2008
Federal courts did a better job of juror utilization in 2007 than in 2006. That means fewer potential jurors entered a courthouse unnecessarily in 2007. Details.
Federal Courts Urged To Adopt Local Protections- March 21, 2008
District courts are being asked to consider adopting a local policy that protects information about cooperation in law enforcement investigations while recognizing the need to preserve legitimate public access to court files. Details.
Federal Defender Offices Sustain Tornado Damages- March 19, 2008
A tornado that hit downtown Atlanta the night of March 14 caused major damages to offices of the federal defender program for the Northern District of Georgia. Details.
Federal Judiciary Seeks FY 2009 Budget Funds- March 12, 2008
Representatives of the federal courts tell Congress that a 7.6 percent increase over fiscal year 2008 enacted appropriations is needed in fiscal year 2009. The Judiciary seeks $6.72 billion for FY 2009. News Release.
Federal Courts' Caseload Remains Steady Overall- March 11, 2008
For fiscal year 2007, total case filings in U.S. district courts remained stable, bankruptcy filings grew steadily, and persons under post-conviction supervision increased 2 percent. News release.
Federal Courts Handling New Sentences for Crack Cocaine- March 11, 2008
As of March 3, 2008, more than 21,000 inmates serving time for federal crimes involving crack cocaine became eligible to have their sentences reduced. Federal courts had been preparing for that eventuality. Video Clip.
National Rules Adopted for Conduct, Disability Proceedings- March 11, 2008
The Judicial Conference of the United States approved the first-ever binding, nationwide set of rules for handling conduct and disability complaints against federal judges. News release.
Public Comment Sought For Code of Conduct Changes- March 07, 2008
Public comment is being sought on proposed revisions to the Code of Conduct for United States Judges. Comments must be received by April 18, 2008. News release. Proposed new code (pdf). Current Code (with proposed revisions).
February
Rate Increase For CJA Attorneys- February 27, 2008
Lawyers appointed to represent eligible persons under two federal laws have received boosts of the hourly rates they receive in compensation. Details.
Local IT Initiatives Funded for FY 2008- February 27, 2008
Four information technology projects developed by federal court staff will receive funding from a program that encourages and promotes local court technology. Details.
Judiciary Funded For FY 2008- February 27, 2008
The Judiciary received $6.246 billion in fiscal year 2008, a 4.5 percent increase over FY 2007. Details.
Judiciary Backs Reducing Disparity of Crack/Powder Cocaine Sentences- February 26, 2008
A federal judge told a House subcommittee that the policy-making Judicial Conference of the United States "strongly supports legislation to reduce the unsupportable sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine." Text.
Federal Courts Prepare For Sentence Reduction Bids- February 20, 2008
More than 600 district court judges, federal defenders, prosecutors, and probation officers gathered for two-day summits in Charlotte and St. Louis to help each other prepare for a sudden increase in their workloads. Details.
Most Bankruptcy Courts Offer Mediation- February 20, 2008
Mediation, defined as facilitated negotiation, is offered by more than two-thirds of the nationﾢﾾﾀﾾﾙs 90 federal bankruptcy courts. Details.
Vital Help Provided By Senior Judges- February 20, 2008
Year in and year out over the past decade, senior judges - those who opted for that status instead of retiring at full pay - have shouldered a significant share of the work of federal district and appellate courts. Details.
Federal Judiciary Voices Concern Over Cocaine Sentencing Law- February 12, 2008
A federal judge tells a Senate committee that existing sentencing policies on cocaine have a corrosive effect on the public's confidence in federal courts. News Release. Video Clip.
FY 2007 Statistics Available Online- February 08, 2008
Fiscal year 2007 statistical profiles for each U.S. court of appeals and U.S. district court - plus national totals for the appellate and district courts - are available online. Federal Court Management Statistics.
Newly Posted: Proceedings Of Judicial Conference- February 07, 2008
The Report of the Proceedings of the Judicial Conference for the September 18, 2007, session is now online. Report.
January
'Reduced Paper Module' Saving Millions- January 28, 2008
For nearly two years, many bankruptcy courts have been saving money by providing parties with electronic-only notices. Details.
New Publication Helps Judges On Classified Information- January 15, 2008
A new pocket guide published by the Federal Judicial Center helps familiarize federal judges with how to protect government secrets in the context of otherwise public proceedings. Details.
New Fees In Effect For CJA Panel Attorneys- January 09, 2008
New hourly compensation rates for Criminal Justice Act panel attorneys apply to work performed on or after January 1, 2008. Details.
Chief Justice Roberts' 2007 Year-End Report- January 01, 2008
Chief Justice John Roberts has issued his 2007 Year-End Report on the Federal Judiciary. Text.
top
|
