Judiciary News
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.
Naturalization Ceremony Becomes a Lesson in Citizenship
Published onFebruary 5, 2014
A federal judge from the Northern District of Ohio held a recent naturalization ceremony at a Cleveland history museum, and in the process created a memorable event for two groups.
In Time of Need, Flooded State Court Gets Help From Federal Neighbor
Published onJanuary 30, 2014
When a state courthouse in Lexington, Ky., was shut down by a recent plumbing incident, a neighboring federal courthouse offered assistance in an unusual way.
Bankruptcy Filings Down 12 Percent in Calendar Year 2013
Published onJanuary 29, 2014
In calendar year 2013, there was a 12 percent drop in cases filed in federal bankruptcy courts.
Dispute Resolution in Federal Courts: New Study to Look at How It's Working
Published onJanuary 23, 2014
The different ways federal district courts provide settlement assistance to parties is the focus of a new study by the Federal Judicial Center (FJC). Eight district courts are participating in the study to be completed by late 2014.
With LENS, Offender Data Quickly Reaches Officers on Beat
Published onJanuary 16, 2014
A police officer on a DUI stop logs into the online Law Enforcement Notification System (LENS) and finds that not only is the driver under federal supervision for a prior drug offense, but the conditions of release stipulate no alcohol use.
Public Alert: Scam Emails About Phony Court Cases Carry Computer Virus
Published onJanuary 13, 2014
The federal judiciary has issued a warning about an email scam that has affected a number of state courts.
Federal Law Clerk Hiring Plan Is ‘Discontinued’
Published onJanuary 13, 2014
The Federal Law Clerk Hiring Plan, which sought to bring order to the process of hiring judges’ law clerks, “has been effectively discontinued, and no further dates are being set in connection with the plan,” according to a memo sent to all federal judges.
Working Group Seeks Ways to Pull Plug on Cybercrime
Published onJanuary 7, 2014
A group of probation and pretrial services officers is looking at how to supervise offenders and defendants who use our society's pervasive programmable electronic devices to commit or conceal crimes.
2013 Year-End Report on Judiciary: Help Needed to Repair Sequestration's Damage
Published onDecember 31, 2013
In his year-end report, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. said that despite a decade of cost-cutting efforts, federal courts need help in overcoming budget damage caused by sequestration.
Court Cook-Off For a Cause
Published onDecember 23, 2013
The District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri hosted a “Cook-off for a Cause” this month, a fund-raising event to benefit the victims of the recent Typhoon Haiyan. The court’s connection to the disaster is personal—one of their law clerks is a first generation Filipino-American who has many close family members in the Philippines.
Tool Helps Probation Officers Reduce Future Criminal Behavior
Published onDecember 19, 2013
The duty of probation officers is to protect the community and foster long-term positive changes in the conduct of offenders. A critical component of these practices is the Post-Conviction Risk Assessment (PCRA)
Focus on what you can do, Advises Judge with MS
Published onDecember 16, 2013
Multiple sclerosis has taken away Judge Ronald M. Gould’s use of his arms and his legs. But Gould, who serves on the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Seattle, does not let the disease dampen his passion for justice.
On Bill of Rights Day, Test Your Knowledge
Published onDecember 12, 2013
December 15 marks the 222nd anniversary of the Bill of Rights. Test your knowledge about the first 10 amendments.
25 Years Later, PACER, Electronic Filing Continue to Change Courts
Published onDecember 9, 2013
In September 1988, the Judicial Conference of the United States approved a new way of opening information to the public, through a service known as PACER—Public Access to Court Electronic Records.