Judiciary News
Vilified in 1940s, Federal Judge Is Honored As Civil Rights Hero
Published onApril 14, 2014
In the mid-1940s, Judge J. Waties Waring from South Carolina had an epiphany that shook his life, his state, and American racial history. Segregation, he concluded, was not just wrong, but unlawful. On April 11, Judge Waring’s legacy was reclaimed, with a statue honoring his memory.
Judiciary Act, Impact of Federal Courts Today Are Focus of Education Effort
Published onApril 11, 2014
The 225th Anniversary of the Judiciary Act, and how federal courts continue to affect average Americans today, will be a key theme in the U.S. courts’ public education efforts for 2014.
Public Meeting Leads to Plan Speeding Hurricane Sandy Litigation
Published onApril 2, 2014
Nearly a year after Super Storm Sandy, New Jersey is seeing another wave. This time, it’s a surge in federal cases involving flood insurance carriers.
Judiciary Looks to Stabilize Financial Position in 2015
Published onMarch 26, 2014
A representative of the Judicial Conference expressed strong concerns to Congress about the Judiciary’s long-term ability to carry out its functions under a no-growth federal budget.
New Manual Shows Importance of Interpreters in Federal Court System
Published onMarch 24, 2014
A newly published Federal Court Interpreter Orientation Manual and Glossary (pdf) provides an overview of the federal court interpreting program. The manual provides an introduction to the federal court system, interpreting best practices, and reference materials.
Women’s History Month Video: Federal Judge Says You Can Never ‘Dream Big Enough’
Published onMarch 18, 2014
As a child, Julie A. Robinson was inspired by a story told by her grandmother, of how Civil Rights pioneer Mary McLeod Bethune was invited to the White House to meet with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Years later, Robinson followed Bethune’s footsteps into the White House, to be interviewed for a federal judgeship.
AG Endorses Proposed Changes to Drug Sentencing Guidelines
Published onMarch 13, 2014
Attorney General Eric Holder appeared before the U.S. Sentencing Commission on March 13, 2014, to endorse a proposed change to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines that would reserve the harshest penalties for the most serious drug offenders. The Judicial Conference Criminal Law Committee supports this change.
Reports Released on 2013 Federal Court Caseloads, Activities
Published onMarch 11, 2014
An in-depth look at the 2013 caseload of the federal courts and activities of the Administrative Office can be found in the 2013 Judicial Business of the U.S. Courts, and Annual Report of the Director, released today by the Administrative Office.
Judicial Conference Reports Show Sequestration Impact, Detail Court Space Savings
Published onMarch 11, 2014
Federal Judiciary leaders today received a report on the impact of reduced funding due to sequestration – which cut court staff and delayed cases – and a separate report on an aggressive multi-faceted strategy to reduce the costs of court space.
Conservative Approach Hallmark of Criminal Case File Reappraisal
Published onMarch 4, 2014
The Administrative Office has received approval from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) of a revised records disposition schedule for non-electronic criminal case files.
Telephone Interpreting Program: Access to Justice for All
Published onFebruary 25, 2014
In a federal courtroom, a witness, who only speaks Foochow, provides testimony in a case where no one in the room speaks that language. In a preliminary hearing, a Spanish-speaking defendant responds to questions from the judge. In both instances, an interpreter bridging the language gap for the participants is miles away at the other end of a telephone.
In Pathways Video, Federal Judge Recalls Coming of Age in Civil Rights Era
Published onFebruary 18, 2014
African American History Month, celebrated every February, this year occurs during the 50th anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and of Freedom Summer, two landmark events that helped end legal segregation in America.
Judiciary Restores Pay Rates for Panel Attorneys
Published onFebruary 13, 2014
The hourly pay rates for lawyers who represent indigent defendants in federal criminal cases, which were temporarily reduced last year, have been restored, effective March 1, 2014.
New Contact System Makes Sure Offenders Are Never Out of Reach
Published onFebruary 11, 2014
Nearly 158,000 offenders and defendants are under supervision in the federal probation and pretrial system. For officers, maintaining contact with each client is essential. Three districts currently are piloting a web-based Client Electronic Notification System (CENS) that will help officers maintain that contact and safeguard the community.
In Unusual Hearing, 6 From Arizona Seek Court Confirmation
Published onFebruary 7, 2014
In a highly unusual confirmation hearing, six nominees from one federal court district—Arizona—prepare to testify, during a recent session of the Senate Judiciary Committee.