Judiciary News
Yakima Courthouse and Federal Building Celebrates Centennial
Published onJune 20, 2012
The William O. Douglas U.S Courthouse and Federal Building in Yakima, Washington celebrates its 100th birthday on June 21, 2012. The courthouse is home to district, magistrate and bankruptcy judges in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington.
Increased Use of Bankruptcy Petition Preparers Raises Concerns
Published onJune 18, 2012
U.S. bankruptcy courts increasingly are concerned with abuses committed by some non-lawyers in the business of helping prepare bankruptcy filing documents for a fee.
121 years ago, the United States Courts of Appeals were born
Published onJune 14, 2012
In early March 1891, Congress passed what has become known as the Evarts Act, which established the U.S. Courts of Appeals to ease the burden on the Supreme Court. The legislation took effect June 16, 1891.
Congress Reviews Proposed Rules Amendments
Published onJune 13, 2012
The House Judiciary Committee has released its official prints of the federal rules package transmitted to Congress by the Supreme Court—House Documents 112-103 and 112-104. The amendments are under review in both the House and the Senate.
Interview: AO Director Discusses Challenges Facing Judiciary
Published onJune 7, 2012
Judge Thomas F. Hogan, the first federal judge to head the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, faces new challenges daily – from finding adequate funding for the courts to defending the Judiciary’s independence.
Survey Shows Impact of Reduced Resources
Published onJune 4, 2012
An informal survey of district court clerks shows courts are taking steps to adjust to reduced funding levels. As resources are reduced, training programs, public outreach and IT services will all be negatively affected.
Are 'Drive By' Rule 26(f) Meetings the Norm?
Published onJune 1, 2012
A Federal Judicial Center survey sent to almost 10,000 attorneys in civil cases asked if attorneys followed Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 26 (f), governing discovery, and participated in a Rule 16(b) scheduling conference with a judge or magistrate judge. The survey found that 73 percent of respondents reporting a Rule 26(f) meeting met for 30 minutes or less.
President signs Temporary Bankruptcy Judgeships Extension Act
Published onMay 31, 2012
The President has signed the Temporary Bankruptcy Judgeships Extension Act of 2012, as Pub. L. No. 112-121. It extends 29 existing temporary judgeships for an additional five years. The bankruptcy judgeships in the bill were created or extended in 2005 as temporary judgeships.
Justice John Paul Stevens Receives Presidential Medal of Freedom
Published onMay 30, 2012
Associate Justice John Paul Stevens received the Presidential Medal of Freedom this week. The Medal of Freedom is the Nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.
Introducing the Third Branch News
Published onMay 24, 2012
The Third Branch News online is the Judiciary’s new and official source for news.
The Best Possible Security: Court Security Committees Critical to Safety
Published onMay 21, 2012
Weeks before the NATO protests in Chicago, the Court Security Committee for the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse assessed security concerns and plans.
All Federal Courts Now Accepting Electronic Filing
Published onMay 17, 2012
The DC-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has begun accepting electronic filings via the judiciary’s Case Management-Electronic Case Files system, joining every other federal appellate, district, and bankruptcy court in doing so.
Bill Introduced to Realign Divisions in Two Judicial Districts
Published onMay 16, 2012
A bill that would realign divisions in the U.S. District Courts in the Eastern District of Missouri and the Northern District of Mississippi has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Temporary Bankruptcy Judgeship Bill Passes
Published onMay 16, 2012
Congress has passed legislation saving temporary bankruptcy judgeships that could have expired in 19 judicial districts.
Federal Defenders: Face of the Sixth Amendment
Published onMay 11, 2012
The Constitution’s Sixth Amendment states that in all criminal prosecutions “the accused shall . . .have the assistance of counsel for his defense.” But what does that mean for defendants who are penniless? In federal courts, the answer is the federal defender program.