Masthead

Vol. 35, Number 10—October 2003 INSIDE THIS ISSUE Can the Courts Survive The Coming Austerity? — “Fiscal Year 2004 began on October 1, 2003 with the government operating under a continuing resolution. While CRs have become routine in recent years, the financial picture the Judiciary may face in FY 04 is anything but...” Chief Justice Appeals to Congress for FY 2004 Funding — “As Presiding Officer of the Judicial Conference of the United States, I reluctantly write you out of concern for the uncertain budget situation we face. Because of its critical importance...” Judicial Conference Seeks Restoration of Judges' Sentencing Authority — “At its September 2003 meeting, the Judicial Conference voted to support repeal of a new law that severely limits the ability of trial judges to depart downward from Sentencing Guidelines and requires reports to Congress...” Telephone Interpreting: A Long-Distance Success in Saving Money — “The federal courts' Telephone Interpreting Program (TIP), although available nationwide only since 2002, has saved an estimated $1.4 million—$700,000 in 2003 so far...” Few Negatives Reported on Electronic Access to Criminal Files — “A study by the Federal Judicial Center of 11 federal courts shows there may be more advantages to remote public access to electronic criminal case documents than disadvantages...” USSC Acts to Reduce Downward Departures — “The U.S. Sentencing Commission (USSC) has voted to implement a package of amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines designed to reduce the frequency with which offenders are sentenced...” Criminal Defendants More Likely to Face Imprisonment — “The proportion of criminal defendants who are sentenced to imprisonment has increased dramatically between 1982 and 2002. Consequently, today far fewer defendants receive sentences other than prison...” Judicial Milestones Judicial Boxscore

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