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Mission |
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AO Services |
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Service to Courts |
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Support to Judicial Conference |
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Third Branch Coordination |
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Budget |
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Organization and Goals |
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Service to the Courts
Court Administration |
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The United States is divided into 12 regional circuits and 94 judicial districts. Each circuit includes a court of appeals and usually several district courts—the federal trial courts. Many of the 94 districts that cover large populations or geographic areas are organized in divisions with court facilities in several locations. More than 1,300 active and senior Article III judges handle the cases filed in the appellate and district courts. Bankruptcy courts are separate components of district courts. Over 300 bankruptcy judges handle the nation's large bankruptcy caseload. They are selected by a majority of the active judges of the court of appeals encompassing their judicial districts and are appointed for terms of 14 years. Although their jurisdiction and terms of office are more limited than those of Article III judges, more than 500 full-time and part-time magistrate judges also have an important role in carrying out the district courts' judicial functions. Magistrate judges serve as adjuncts to the district courts, exercising the authority of a court as delegated by the district judges. They are selected by a majority of a court's active judges. Part-time magistrate judges are appointed for terms of four years, and full-time magistrate judges are appointed for eight years. Keeping judges informed on important matters and providing general ombudsman support is a top priority for the Administrative Office (AO). The agency holds orientation, training, and support programs for judges and their staffs. The development of chambers automation applications for legal research and case management, personnel and benefits services, and other support services for Article III judges, magistrate judges, and bankruptcy judges are primary responsibilities. The AO also provides management support on courthouse space and facilities, advises court officials on courthouse design and construction, and monitors court security services to implement security policies. While judges and their chambers staff are the heart of the Judiciary, the federal courts could not function without other court units and staff who support the process and legal machinery of justice. Court administrators, including circuit executives, clerks of court, librarians, interpreters, staff attorneys, bankruptcy administrators, and other court employees perform vital roles in court operations. AO staff members allocate resources and provide guidance, evaluation, and support for these functions and court executives in a wide range of administrative and program areas such as case management, jury administration, records management, facilities, contracting and procurement, financial management, human-resources administration, information technology, property management, and statistical reporting. Probation and Pretrial Services Probation and pretrial services form another significant part of the federal court system. The thousands of employees who work in probation and pretrial services offices nationwide play a critical role in the criminal justice process. Probation and pretrial services officers investigate defendants charged with federal crimes and offenders convicted of federal crimes and provide background information about them to the court. Judges rely on the information–which addresses such areas as family, education, employment, finances, and criminal or substance abuse history–in making sentencing and release decisions. Officers also supervise, or monitor the activities of, individuals released to the community by the court or following a term of incarceration and, in doing so, reduce the risk these persons may pose to the public. As part of supervision, officers, at the order of the court, direct individuals to correctional treatment services, including substance abuse or mental health treatment, medical care, training, or employment assistance. The AO provides general oversight of the probation and pretrial services system. The agency allocates resources, provides training, and supports national programs in many areas, including drug testing and treatment, mental health treatment, and home confinement. It provides policy guidance, management assistance, administrative support, automation development, and program evaluation. The agency serves as liaison to the Bureau of Prisons, the U.S. Parole Commission, and the U.S. Sentencing Commission. The federal Judiciary also oversees the defender services program, which was established by the CriminalJustice Act of 1964. The defender services program provides for the appointment and compensation of legal counsel, including payment of necessary investigative, expert or other defense-related services, for any defendant financially eligible for such representation in a federal criminal proceeding. The AO guides and supports the growing federal public defender program, which includes more than 55 federal public defender organizations and 15 community defender organizations, serving over 80 districts. The AO also oversees the expenditure of funds appropriated by Congress for the program; administers the federal defender and appointed counsel program; and provides policy, legal, management, and financial advice to judicial officers and employees, private attorneys, and federal defenders and their staffs. To ensure effective communications between the AO and the courts in assessing requirements and developing new policies, programs, or guidelines, the agency's various program divisions work with broadly representative advisory groups. This advisory structure encourages the free exchange of information and ideas, and ensures that items of importance are addressed.
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