Appellate Commission Wraps Up Hearings
The governor of Washington, a U.S. senator, a state attorney general, bar
association presidents, law professors and numerous federal judges were among
more than 70 witnesses who testified at public hearings held by the Commission
on Structural Alternatives for the Federal Courts of Appeals in San Francisco
and Seattle in May. The hearings were the last in a series of hearings held
since March.
The Commission also has conducted hearings in Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago, and
New York. A total of 90 witnesses testified at these public hearings, and
statements and comments were received from dozens more.
The Commission will spend the next few months reviewing the submitted
information, gathering additional data, analyzing the findings, and drafting an
initial report for public comment.
Congress created the Commission late last year to study the structure and
alignment of the federal appellate system, with particular reference to the
Ninth Circuit. In December 1998, the Commission is to report to the President
and Congress any recommendations for changes in circuit boundaries or structure,
consistent with fairness and due process. Retired Supreme Court Justice Byron
White is chairman of the Commission.
More information about the Commission and testimony from all hearings can be
found at http://app.comm.uscourts.gov/