Judicial Conference News Releases
Explore the news releases of the Judicial Conference of the United States.
Judicial Conference Approves Prisoner Case Filing and Judge Assistance Pilot Programs
Published onSeptember 13, 2016
Two pilot programs – one that will allow pro se prisoners to file certain federal court documents electronically from a kiosk in a prison and a second that will provide judicial assistance to select district courts with unusually high civil caseloads – were approved today by the Judicial Conference at its biannual meeting in Washington, D.C.
Judicial Conference Addresses Judgeship Needs Issues
Published onMarch 15, 2016
The Judicial Conference of the United States today adopted a new system of case weights that will help it fine-tune its requests for new district judgeships; moved to seek legislation to preserve temporary bankruptcy judgeships that will lapse next year; and addressed sentencing reform legislation that would impact court workloads.
Judicial Conference Updates Rules for Judicial Conduct Proceedings, Strategic Plan
Published onSeptember 17, 2015
The Judicial Conference of the United States today adopted amended rules for Judicial Conduct and Disability proceedings that provide for greater transparency and also approved an updated Strategic Plan for the Federal Judiciary.
Successes Reported in Aggressive Space and Rent Reduction Initiative
Published onMarch 10, 2015
Federal courts have reduced the space they occupy and cut rent costs at facilities throughout the country, according to a report provided today to the Judicial Conference of the United States.
Judicial Conference Receives Budget Update, Forwards Rules Package to Supreme Court
Published onSeptember 16, 2014
In the last six months, courts have begun to backfill some of the 3,400 staff lost between July 2011 and March 2014, and also restore funding for critical public safety programs, such as probation and pretrial services.
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.
Conference Approves Additional Cost-Saving Measures
Published onSeptember 17, 2013
At its biannual meeting, the Judicial Conference approved the latest in a series of cost-cutting measures. Conference actions continue the Judiciary's decade-long cost-containment efforts that have become increasingly aggressive as sequestration triggered broad cuts in court staff and programs.
Federal Judiciary Braces for Broad Impact of Budget Sequestration
Published onMarch 12, 2013
Stating that sequestration has put the federal Judiciary "in uncharted territory," a federal judge told the Judicial Conference today that "we face a budget crisis that is unprecedented, one that is not likely to end in the near-term."
Judiciary Continues Cost Savings, Closes Court Facilities
Published onSeptember 11, 2012
The Judicial Conference of the United States today agreed to close six non-resident federal court facilities—the latest in a series of cost-cutting measures implemented by the federal Judiciary’s national policy-making body.
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.
Conference Approves Standards & Procedures for Sealing Civil Cases
Published onSeptember 13, 2011
The Judicial Conference of the United States today adopted a national policy that encourages federal courts to limit those instances in which they seal entire civil case files.
Judicial Leaders Hear Concerns Over Funding
Published onMarch 15, 2011
The Judicial Conference of the United States today received a report on the potentially dire consequences the federal Judiciary may face if a Fiscal Year 2011 funding measure is not soon adopted.
Judiciary Approves Pilot Project for Cameras in District Courts
Published onSeptember 14, 2010
The Judicial Conference of the United States today approved a pilot project to evaluate the effect of cameras in federal district courtrooms and the public release of digital video recordings of some civil proceedings.
Expanding Caseload Fuels Judiciary Request for Resources in 2011
Published onMarch 18, 2010
Submitting the smallest funding increase requested in more than 20 years, representatives of the federal Judiciary today asked a House subcommittee to adequately fund the courts in the coming year so they can cope with anticipated increases in case filings.
Judiciary Approves Free Access to Judges’ Workload Reports; Courtroom Sharing for Magistrate Judges
Published onSeptember 15, 2009
The Judicial Conference of the United States today voted to make a judge-specific workload report available for the first time over the Internet at no charge and also approved a courtroom sharing policy for magistrate judges in new courthouse and courtroom construction.