Judiciary News
African American Judges Offer Life Lessons
Published onFebruary 9, 2023
Three African American judges reflect on challenges they faced and lessons they learned before joining the federal bench, in a new Heritage Spotlight video honoring African American History Month.
Bankruptcy Filings Drop 6.3 Percent
Published onFebruary 6, 2023
Bankruptcy filings fell 6.3 percent for the 12-month period ending Dec. 31, 2022, continuing a fall that coincided with the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. But individual filings under Chapter 13 increased significantly.
Federal Courts Offer Law Day Resources on Civility and Decision-Making
Published onJanuary 26, 2023
Civility in the law and in life is the focus of the Judiciary’s 2023 Law Day resources for teachers, judges, and the legal community. Courtroom and classroom activities that give students real-life experience with civil discourse and solid decision-making skills are at the heart of the Judiciary’s national initiative Civil Discourse and Difficult Decisions.
Judiciary Studies Use of Online Tool in Presentence Reports
Published onJanuary 25, 2023
The Federal Judicial Center (FJC) will soon begin a two-year pilot study of the impact of including data from a U.S. Sentencing Commission online tool in presentence reports during the sentencing phase of criminal cases.
Federal Courts and Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Legacy
Published onJanuary 12, 2023
On MLK Day 2023, learn how federal courts played a key role when Martin Luther King, Jr., and his allies sought justice.
Chief Justice Roberts Issues 2022 Year-End Report
Published onDecember 31, 2022
Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., has issued his 2022 Year-End Report on the Federal Judiciary.
In COVID-19, Judicial Conference Met Its Ultimate Challenge
Published onDecember 22, 2022
When COVID-19 struck in early 2020, Chief Justice William Howard Taft’s vision of a Judiciary that could work in unison was put to perhaps its greatest test. For critical weeks and months, the Judiciary’s very ability to conduct proceedings was endangered. The Judicial Conference of the United States, the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, and judges and court staff across the country worked tirelessly to keep courts open and safe.
Congress Passes the Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act
Published onDecember 16, 2022
The federal judge who lost her only child when a gunman opened fire at her home and the Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (AO) expressed gratitude today for the passage by Congress of the Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act.
New Courthouse in N.C. Weds Past and Present
Published onDecember 1, 2022
A recently completed renovation and expansion of a federal courthouse in Charlotte, North Carolina, combines a modern annex with architectural touches that invoke a Virginia courtroom designed by Thomas Jefferson. The new court complex is one of eight funded by Congress in late 2015.
Facing Fiscal Crises, Judicial Conference Charted Steady Course
Published onNovember 17, 2022
Over the last 25 years, the federal Judiciary has faced several fiscal emergencies, including sequestration and two government shutdowns. Each event illustrates how the Judicial Conference of the United States has transformed the way federal courts manage their finances.
New Americans Celebrated at Stadium Naturalization
Published onNovember 14, 2022
Football fans cheered when a federal judge welcomed 16 immigrants from nine countries as new United States citizens, during a November 13 naturalization ceremony hosted before a Los Angeles Rams game.
New Database Eases Release of Judges’ Finance Reports
Published onNovember 7, 2022
A new free public database of federal judges’ financial disclosure reports (FDRs), including periodic transaction reports (PTRs), was launched today by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.
Bankruptcy Filings Continue to Fall
Published onOctober 31, 2022
Personal and business bankruptcy filings fell 11.7 percent for the 12-month period ending Sept. 30, 2022. Filings continued a fall that coincided with the start of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
New Courthouse in Nashville Maintains Classical Look with Enhanced Security
Published onOctober 20, 2022
A dedication ceremony at the new courthouse will mark the conclusion of a nearly 25-year effort to secure funding to build a safer and more welcoming space for those visiting the federal court in the Middle District of Tennessee.
AO Director Updates Congress on Progress in Case Management Technology Modernization
Published onOctober 19, 2022
In a letter to key members of Congress on Wednesday, the Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (AO) detailed efforts underway to modernize the Judiciary’s electronic case management system, including replacing Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER), the public interface for accessing court records.