Judiciary News
Losses to Courts Underscore Funding Needs
Published onMarch 28, 2012
The federal Judiciary today asked House appropriators to provide a 3.1 percent funding increase for fiscal year 2013—the lowest requested increase on record—at a time when courts already have cut staffing and implemented other sweeping cost containment measures.
Federal District Court Workload Increases in Fiscal Year 2011
Published onMarch 13, 2012
Caseloads for fiscal year 2011 increased in district courts and in the probation and pretrial services system, while falling slightly in the appellate and bankruptcy courts.
Conference Continues Aggressive Cost Containment
Published onMarch 13, 2012
Following on the heels of a cost containment summit convened last fall, the Judicial Conference of the United States today approved a series of money-saving initiatives in an effort to prepare for funding levels that will otherwise cause significant reductions in staff and court services.
Report Focus: Federal Court Services for Those Without A Lawyer's Help
Published onMarch 2, 2012
A recently published report focuses on programs, services, and materials federal courts have developed to assist “pro se” litigants – those who don’t have a lawyer’s help. The report also looks at what assistance exists for court staff in handling pro se cases.
Federal Judge Knows Advantages of U.S. Citizenship
Published onMarch 1, 2012
U.S. District Judge George Singal of Maine was born in a World War II refugee camp after his family fled from eastern Poland. In this video, he explains that when presiding over naturalization ceremonies he invites new citizens to take advantage of their new opportunities.
CM/ECF's Next Gen Receives Lots of Outside Feedback
Published onFebruary 29, 2012
As the federal judiciary began the requirements-gathering phase for the Next Generation successor of its Case Management/Electronic Case Files (CM/ECF) system back in 2009, it decided to hear voices from outside the court system.
Pretrial Services Act Turning 30
Published onFebruary 28, 2012
The Pretrial Services Act, which authorized federal judicial districts nationwide to establish pretrial services offices, will turn 30 in 2012.
Automatic Notification Available for PACER
Published onFebruary 23, 2012
Federal courts now provide automatic case notification through the use of RSS feeds, allowing the public to easily stay informed of newly docketed events.
Judicial History Research Guide Wins Award
Published onFebruary 17, 2012
The Federal Judicial Center’s Guide to Research in Federal Judicial History has been awarded the prestigious Thomas Jefferson Prize from the Society for History in the Federal Government.
FJC’s Director Enthusiastic Despite Challenges
Published onFebruary 10, 2012
Federal Judicial Center Director Jeremy Fogel said he is “committed to continuing the Center’s exemplary service to the judiciary” despite facing unprecedented fiscal challenges over the next few years.
Bankruptcy Filings Slide in Calendar Year 2011
Published onFebruary 7, 2012
Bankruptcy filings in the federal courts fell 11.5 percent in calendar year 2011. The number of bankruptcies filed in the 12-month period ending December 31, 2011, totaled 1,410,653 – down from 1,593,081 bankruptcies filed in 2010.
Wiretap Reporting Instructions Revised
Published onFebruary 2, 2012
The Administrative Office, required by Congress to report on the number of applications for court orders authorizing or approving interception of electronic communications each year, has posted revised instructions for those who must file data for such reports.
Oldest Federal Judge Dies
Published onJanuary 25, 2012
Senior U.S. District Judge Wesley Brown, who regularly presided over cases well past his 104th birthday, died on January 23.
Most Federal Judges Warn Jurors About Social Media
Published onJanuary 24, 2012
Most federal judges have taken steps to ensure that jurors do not use social media to discuss the trial in which they are involved, a recently published survey indicates.
New Federal Courthouse Graces Buffalo's Skyline
Published onJanuary 20, 2012
The recently opened 10-story U.S. courthouse in Buffalo, N.Y., is home not only to the federal judiciary but also provides office space for the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Attorney, and the General Services Administration.