Where the Money Goes:

A Look At How The Judiciary's FY 2001 Budget Is Divided

As in FY 2000, the budget included an across-the-board reduction for all federal agencies. Last year's FY 2000 reduction was .38 percent. In FY 2001, the reduction was .22 percent, which decreased the Judiciary's appropriation by $8.7 million from the earlier conference agreement. Following the review and approval of financial plans by the Judicial Conference Executive Committee, the funding provided to the courts of appeals, district courts, and other judicial services was divided up in support of staffing, services, and programs.

Ninety-five percent of the FY01 budget (Figure 1) funds the courts of appeals, district courts, and other judicial services. The remaining 5 percent is divided among the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the Court of International Trade, the Administrative Office, the Federal Judicial Center, the U.S. Sentencing Commission, and payments to the Judiciary Trust Fund.

The 95 percent of the total Judiciary budget earmarked for the courts and other judicial services can be broken down further (Figure 2). Eighty-three percent is allocated to court salaries and expenses. Eleven percent is for the operation of federal public defender and community defender organizations, compensation for private attorneys representing indigent defendants, and fees of persons providing investigative, expert, and other services under the Criminal Justice Act. Five percent of the funds going to the courts provides for court security;the procurement, installation, and maintenance of security equipment; and protective services including court security officers for the courts. One percent pays for fees and expenses of jurors.

The 83 percent allotted to court salaries and expenses is further divided (Figure 3). Fifty-three percent is allotted for the salaries and benefits of court personnel. Twenty-three percent goes to space and facilities, including space rental costs charged by General Services Administration; 8 percent for judges' salaries and benefits; and 8 percent for operating expenses, including court support programs. Automation and technology in the courts receives 7 percent of the salaries and expenses pie and 1 percent is devoted to other court programs and reserves.