Newsroom Archive

2007
Newsroom Archive

December
New Fees Posted For Contract Interpreters - December 28, 2007
A new fee schedule for certified and professionally qualified interpreters and for language skilled interpreters in federal courts takes effect January 2, 2008.
Rates. More about interpreters.

New Web Page Helps Pro Se Bankruptcy Filers - December 20, 2007
A new web page has been developed for persons who file a bankruptcy case without the help of a lawyer. Details.

New Information System Aids Probation, Pretrial Services - December 20, 2007
Probation and pretrial services officers are finding it easier to locate and access information on defendants and persons on supervised release with a new web-based application. Details.

Exercise Grand Slam Tests Disaster Readiness - December 20, 2007
The New York-based U.S. Court of International Trade tests its continuity-of-operations program and evaluates its disaster preparedness. Details.

AO Serves Federal Courts In Variety of Ways - December 17, 2007
The Administrative Office of the United States Courts provides a wide range of administrative, legal, financial, management, program, and information technology services to the federal courts. Details.

Retroactivity Approved for Crack Cocaine Guideline - December 11, 2007
The U.S. Sentencing Commission voted unanimously to give retroactive effect to a newly revised guideline that reduces penalties for crack cocaine offenses. The retroactivity will become effective March 3, 2008. Details.

Retroactivity Considered for Crack Cocaine Guidelines - December 7, 2007
The U.S. Sentencing Commission is considering making retroactive the newly revised guidelines for convictions involving crack cocaine. Details.

Federal Court Funding Via Continuing Resolution - December 4, 2007
In the absence of enacted appropriations for fiscal year 2008, the federal judiciary has been operating under a continuing resolution, which extends through December 14. Details.

Supervision Looks To Long-Term Change - December 4, 2007
What part do federal probation officers play in the success of those offenders who complete periods of supervised release? Details.

November
eJuror Seeks to Boost User-Friendly Jury Service - November 27, 2007
A planned website will allow prospective jurors to complete qualification questionnaires and obtain relevant reporting information online. Details.

New Privacy Rules Imminent, Privacy Change Contemplated - November 27, 2007
New rules providing privacy protection for cases filed posted online in all federal courts are scheduled to take effect December 1. And a Judicial Conference committee is studying a related privacy issue. Details.

FY 2007: 113 Languages Heard in Federal Courts - November 27, 2007
Melting pot indeed. Federal courts reported 232,457 interpreted events in 113 different languages in the 12 months that ended September 30, 2007. Details.

Federal Courts Caseload Has Decade of Change - November 27, 2007
Supreme Court decisions, shifting Administration priorities, new legislation, and numerous other factors caused the composition of federal courts' caseload to change over the past decade. Details.

Probation Office's Project Yields Thousands of Books - November 21, 2007
A popular children's television network inspired a community service project in which federal probation officers in New Jersey provided nearly 50,000 children's books for young readers. Details.

Bankruptcy Filings Continue To Increase - November 19, 2007
Bankruptcy cases filed in federal courts totaled more than 800,000 in fiscal year 2007, continuing the steady rise that has occurred since filings dropped precipitously after sweeping changes in bankruptcy law. News Release.

Threat Management Center Helps Protect Federal Judges - November 16, 2007
A state-of-the-art facility for analysis of threats against federal judges and other members of the judicial family is providing vital data to federal marshals nationwide. Details.

New Help for Bankruptcy Filers Who Don't Have A Lawyer - November 15, 2007
The Administrative Office's Bankruptcy Judges Advisory Group has developed a new web page for persons who are thinking of filing a bankruptcy petition without an attorney's help, a very difficult undertaking.

New U.S. Postage Stamp Notes Jury Service - November 15, 2007
The U.S. Postal Service has issued a stamp commemorating jury service. The stamp emphasizes the importance of jury service by depicting a diverse group of 12 representative jurors.

Free PACER Access Available at 16 Libraries - November 8, 2007
Free public access to federal court records in the judiciary's Public Access to Court Electronic Records system is available at 16 libraries in 14 states. News Release.

Plea Agreements Privacy: Public Comments Posted - November 8, 2007
More than 60 public comments were received by a Judicial Conference committee contemplating whether it will recommend a policy restricting public Internet access to plea agreements in criminal cases. The comments are posted here.

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October
Federal Courts Help Educate About Justice - October 31, 2007
The federal judiciary's national outreach programs connect courts to their communities by producing educational initiatives aimed at high school students. Details.

Court Interpreters Information Newly Updated Online - October 26, 2007
New information about the use of federal court interpreters is available, including the certification process, current fees, and standards for performance and professional responsibility. Details.

Pretrial Services Act Passed 25 Years Ago - October 24, 2007
Hundreds of pretrial services officers gathered to commemorate the 25-year anniversary of the Pretrial Services Act, which one judge called "one of the most significant advances in simple justice." Details. Video (5:15).

Cost Containment and the Federal Courts - October 24, 2007
The federal judiciary regards its future with cautious optimism, largely because of an aggressive cost-containment program begun three years ago. Details.

Judges, Judicial Employees Must Avoid Partisan Politics - October 24, 2007
Partisan political activities are prohibited by the Code of Conduct for U.S. Judges and the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees. Details.

'Perfect Storm' of Cases May Await Federal Circuit - October 23, 2007
A surge of veterans' appeals in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit stems from a substantial caseload increase in the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Details.

Grand Jury Information Includes Updated Handbook - October 10, 2007
Information about federal grand juries, including an updated Grand Jury Handbook, is available.

Certifying Interpreters A Constant Process - October 10, 2007
The certification of Spanish/English court interpreters is critically important to the effective administration of justice in the federal courts. Details.

Updated Court Fees Available Online - October 10, 2007
The updated versions of the various fees for federal court filings - in appellate, district, bankruptcy courts and more - are available online.

Capital Case Concerns Voiced by Judiciary - October 4, 2007
The policy-making Judicial Conference has expressed concerns about proposed regulations issued by the Department of Justice for states seeking to qualify for expedited federal habeas corpus review procedures in death penalty cases. Details.

New Committee Chairs Named for Judicial Conference - October 4, 2007
Chief Justice John Roberts has appointed eight new Judicial Conference committee chairs and extended the terms of two committee chairs. Details.

How Green Is My Courthouse? - October 1, 2007
The General Services Administration, builder of federal courthouses, requires that all new construction projects and substantial renovations be environmentally certified. Details.

Knowledge of Supreme Court Linked to Knowing Judiciary's Role -
October 1, 2007
A report issued by two political science professors says Americans are more likely to know and appreciate the judiciary's role as their knowledge of the U.S. Supreme Court increases. Details.

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September
Cameras in Federal Trial Courts Opposed by Judicial Conference -
September 27, 2007
The policy-making Judicial Conference of the United States "strongly opposes" a bill that, if enacted, would allow the use of cameras in federal trial courts, a federal judge told a congressional committee. News Release. Judge Tunheim Statement (pdf).

Newly Updated: Information on History of Judgeships - September 27, 2007
Historical information of authorized judgeships for all federal courts and judicial appointments by president since 1933 are included.

Newly Posted Lessons: First Amendment "Pillars" - September 21, 2007
A package of First Amendment court cases of special interest to today's teens provides examples of the individual rights protected by the constitutional amendment.

Judge Carolyn Dineen King Receives Prestigious Award - September 19, 2007
Appeals court Judge Carolyn Dineen King is this year's winner of the Edward J. Devitt Distinguished Service to Justice Award. Its presentation was to be September 20 in the federal courthouse in Houston. Video (3:19).

Federal Court Transcripts To Be Available Online - September 18, 2007
The Judicial Conference of the United States today voted to make transcripts of federal district and bankruptcy court proceedings available online through the judiciary's Public Access to Court Electronic Records system. News Release.

Constitution Day '07 Features Message from Chief Justice - September 17, 2007
The Constitution of the United States turned 220 on September 17, 2007. This year's commemoration includes a 37-minute broadcast message from Chief Justice John Roberts Jr.

Cost-Containment Report Cites Significant Progress - September 14, 2007
Implementation of the federal judiciary's cost-containment strategy has made significant progress in narrowing the future gap between funding levels and budget requirements. Details.

Courts Feel Effects of PACER's Popularity - September 13, 2007
The success of the federal judiciary's Public Access to Court Electronic Records system is well documented. Less attention, however, has focused on PACER's impact on court staffs. Details.

Comments Sought on Internet Access - September 10, 2007
The federal judiciary is seeking comment on the privacy and security implications related to public Internet access to certain documents in criminal case files. News Release.

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August
Courts' Educational Efforts Reach High School Students - August 28, 2007
A simulated court case over the downloading of music files and movies helps high school students understand how federal courts resolve controversies. Video (4:28).

Feedback Requested On Legislation - August 24, 2007
Members of Congress want federal courts of appeals to flag for them those opinions that point out possible technical problems in statutes. Details.

First All-Hispanic Panel Sits in Ninth Circuit - August 24, 2007
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit made judicial history in July when an appellate panel consisting of three judges of Hispanic descent heard oral arguments in Seattle. Details.

Educational Outreach Page Features Three New Topics - August 21, 2007
True-to-life simulations involving contemporary topics are newly featured on the federal courts' educational outreach page. They focus, respectively, on a high-speed police chase, the rights of passengers during traffic stops, and free-speech rights. Details.

Bankruptcy Filings Continue to Climb - August 16, 2007
In the 12-month period ending June 30, 2007, there were 751,056 bankruptcy filings in federal courts. That total is greater than those for the 12 months ending March 2007 and December 2006. News Release.

Access to Court Information Continues to Expand - August 8, 2007
Customers of the federal courts' Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system now have access, without charge, to written opinions in the district courts. Details.

Pilot Project Begins: Audio Recordings Online - August 7, 2007
Two federal courts are the vanguard of a pilot project to make digital audio recordings of courtroom proceedings publicly available online. News Release.

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July
Limited English Proficiency No Bar to Understanding Courts - July 31, 2007
Federal courts will have additional tools as they reach out to a growing segment of the U.S. population with limited English proficiency. Details.

Courthouse Design Guide To Be More Reader-Friendly - July 26, 2007
The updated and reworked U.S. Courts Design Guide, to be available soon, will be more reader-friendly. Details.

Offenders with Drug Problems Can Get Special Help - July 24, 2007
Angel, a heroin addict for 30 of his 53 years, knew the odds were against him when he was given supervised release from federal prison in early 2006. Details.

Courts Try to Maximize Jury Diversity - July 24, 2007
Increasingly, federal courts are seeking to move beyond legal imperatives and find new ways to maximize jury diversity. Details.

Offenders with Drug Problems Can Get Special Help - July 24, 2007
Angel, a heroin addict for 30 of his 53 years, knew the odds were against him when he was given supervised release from federal prison in early 2006. Details.

Judicial Conduct and Disability Rules Open to Public Comment - July 16, 2007
A draft of Rules Governing Judicial Conduct and Disability Proceedings has been released for 90 days of public comment, to conclude on October 15, 2007. Details.

Temporary Judgeship Bill To Help Five Districts - July 10, 2007
The Senate considers a bill to create two temporary district judgeships and extend three others. Details.

New Version of OSCAR Helps Would-Be Law Clerks - July 10, 2007
A new version of OSCAR, the Online System for Clerkship Application and Review, is now available to law schools, clerkship applicants, and federal judges nationwide. Details.

7th Circuit Court Uses Wiki To Let Lawyers Have Say - July 3, 2007
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals is engaged in an interesting experiment in democracy. Details.

FY '08 Federal Courts Budget Considered By Full House - July 3, 2007
The House is considering a $6.258 billion appropriation for the federal courts in fiscal year 2008, a 4.7 percent increase over FY 2007 funding levels. Details.

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June
Bankruptcy Filings Rising After Sharp Decline - June 27, 2007
In the three-month period ending March 31, 2007, there were 193,641 bankruptcy cases filed in federal courts, more than in any of the four previous three-month periods. News Release.

Digital Audio Recordings To Be Posted Online - June 27, 2007
The federal judiciary is about to launch a pilot project to make audio recordings of district court and bankruptcy court proceedings publicly available online. Details.

Northern-Most Federal Court Brings Judiciary to the Frontier - June 27, 2007
Less than 200 miles south of the Arctic Circle is the northern-most court in the federal judiciary - in Fairbanks, Alaska. Details.

Mandatory Minimum Sentences Result in Injustices, Congress Told - June 26, 2007
A federal judge, representing the judiciary's policy-making entity, tells Congress that minimum sentences made mandatory by federal law result in penalties that are inequitable and unduly harsh. News Release. Testimony (pdf). Video - Judge Cassell Testifies (3:30).

Complaint Against Federal Judge: The Process Explained - June 14, 2007
A Judicial Misconduct and Disability page explains how to complain about a federal judge, in any of the 13 judicial circuits. It's one outgrowth of a report in which a committee chaired by Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer called for improvements in how complaints are handled. Details.

Judge Carolyn King Chosen For 2007 Devitt Award - June 7, 2007
Judge Carolyn Dineen King of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has been selected as the 2007 recipient of the Edward J. Devitt Distinguished Service to Justice Award. Details.

Cocaine Sentencing Disparities Targeted in New Report - June 6, 2007
In a 202-page report to Congress on federal cocaine sentencing policy, the U.S. Sentencing Commission urges legislation to remedy disparities between penalties for crimes involving powder cocaine and crack cocaine. Report (pdf).

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May
Plain-Language Rewrite Of Civil Rules Wins Award - May 31, 2007
A project aimed at making the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure easier to read and comprehend has won a 2007 "Reform in Law" award. Details.

Federal Sentencing Trends Detailed in Sourcebook - May 30, 2007
The 2006 Sourcebook of Federal Sentencing Statistics offers a detailed look at various trends in the criminal cases handled by federal courts in fiscal year 2006. Details.

Work Per Case Rises for Bankruptcy Courts - May 22, 2007
The far-reaching changes in federal bankruptcy law that took effect in 2005 yielded a sharp decline in 2006 filings, but preliminary information suggests that the work per case has increased significantly for bankruptcy courts. Details.

Study: Bulk of Bankruptcies Filed by the Middle-Aged - May 22, 2007
Is there a relationship between age and filing for bankruptcy protection? A new study shows that the bulk of bankruptcy filings come from the middle-aged. Details.

Judicial Conference Seeks More Court Efficiency - May 22, 2007
The policy-making Judicial Conference of the United States has sent to Congress a package of legislative proposals to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of federal courts. Details.

New Statistics Tables Posted For 2006 - May 15, 2007
A new set of federal court statistics, reflecting caseloads and number of authorized judgeships for calendar year 2006, has been posted. Details.

Bush Administration Advocates "Overall Increase" in Judges' Pay - May 15, 2007
The Bush administration has voiced its support for an overall increase in the base salaries of federal judges in letters to congressional leaders. Letters.

Incarceration and Supervision Costs Calculated for FY 2006 - May 11, 2007
In fiscal year 2006, it cost up to $24,443.08 to keep a federal inmate incarcerated, and $3,535.18 for a federal offender to be released under the supervision of a probation officer. Details.

Federal Magistrate Judge Cites Pay In Leaving Bench - May 8, 2007
Ronald J. Hedges leaves the bench after 21 years as a magistrate judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. "I wish I could stay," he says, but cites eroded earnings. Details.

Courtroom Use Study Reaches Mid-Point - May 3, 2007
The Federal Judicial Center's collection of data on courtroom use reached its midway point in April. Details.

Federal Courts Strive to Enhance Jury Service - May 3, 2007
Many federal courts are trying new ways to make jury service as positive an experience as possible. Details.

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April
GPS Enhances Monitoring of Defendants, Offenders - April 30, 2007
Federal and state courts across the United States issued 1,839 orders authorizing or approving the interception of wire, oral or electronic communications in 2006. The total is a 4 percent increase over 2005. News Release. 2006 Wiretap Report.

GPS Enhances Monitoring of Defendants, Offenders - April 26, 2007
Global Positioning System devices lets federal probation and pretrial services officers monitor defendants and offenders more effectively.

Congress-Judiciary Pay Link Opposed by Former Lawmakers - April 26, 2007
A group of former U.S. senators and representatives opposes the two-decade practice of linking the salaries of federal judges to those of members of Congress. Details. Paper.

Supreme Court Justice Stevens Discusses His Long Tenure - April 26, 2007
Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, the senior member of the nation's highest court, talked about his tenure in a recent interview.

Law Day Observed By Philadelphia Students - April 26, 2007
More than 100 high school students plan to mark Law Day this year by struggling with intellectual property issues in the jury rooms of a federal courthouse in Philadelphia. Details.

Justices Breyer, Alito Testify: Pay Raise Needed for Federal Judges - April 19, 2007
Supreme Court Justices Stephen Breyer and Samuel Alito testified before a House subcommittee, calling for a salary increase for federal judges. Breyer text (pdf). Alito text (pdf). Video (4:44). More on Judicial Compensation.

More Class Action Cases Handled by Federal Courts - April 17, 2007
Federal courts are handling more class action cases since the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005 was enacted, a study shows. Details. Report.

Bankruptcy Filings Plunged Last Year - April 16, 2007
Bankruptcy filings in the federal courts dropped 70 percent in calendar year 2006, but bankruptcies filed in the last three months of the year were the highest of any quarter in 2006. News Release.

New Information Available on Discharge in Bankruptcy - April 13, 2007
A bankruptcy discharge releases a debtor from personal liability for certain types of debts. New information about such discharges has been posted.

Offender Workforce Program Gets News Media Attention - April 11, 2007
A program initiated by the federal probation office in Massachusetts helps ex-offenders find work. Video (2:25).

Trial Lawyers Group Proposes 100 Percent Pay Raise for Judges - April 3, 2007
The American College of Trial Lawyers proposes a 100 percent pay raise for federal judges, stating that they "will arguably still be underpaid for the service they provide our society, but it's a start." Details (pdf).

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March
Senator: Judges' Stagnant Pay Threat to Federal Judiciary - March 29, 2007
The Senate Judiciary Committee's chairman calls stagnant judicial salaries a threat to the judiciary's ability to function. Details.

Appellate Courts Go Live on CM/ECF - March 29, 2007
Some day in the not-too-distant future, locating and reading a brief filed in a federal appellate case online will become as easy as finding an appeals court opinion. And electronic appellate briefs will feature hyperlinks to lower court rulings, statutes, and other cited materials. Details.

Bankruptcy Proof of Claim Form Now Can Be Filled Out Online - March 23, 2007
Bankruptcy Form B-10, in which creditors tell a court how much debtors owed them when seeking bankruptcy protection, now can be filled out online.

Pretrial Release: Vast Majority of Defendants Show Up in Court - March 23, 2007
A recent study indicates that 98 percent of the 78,823 federal defendants given pretrial release in the years 2003-2006 did not fail to appear for court. Details.

Courts Seek $6.43 Billion In FY 2008 Appropriations - March 21, 2007
The federal courts requested $6.43 billion from Congress for fiscal year 2008 as Judge Julia Gibbons, chair of the Judicial Conference Budget Committee, and Administrative Office Director James C. Duff testified before appropriations subcommittees in the House and Senate. News Release. Video (3:01). Gibbons text (pdf). Duff text (pdf).

Federal Judiciary Seeking 67 New Judgeships - March 13, 2007
The policy-making Judicial Conference of the United States voted to ask Congress to create 67 new federal judgeships - 15 for the courts of appeals and 52 for the district courts. Details.

Judicial Independence Subject of Panel's Focus - March 5, 2007
A panel comprised of a federal judge, a former U.S. senator, and a law professor discusses judicial independence. Video (4:19).

Judiciary's FY '07 Budget Authorized by Congress - March 5, 2007
A continuing resolution has provided the Judiciary with $5.980 billion in enacted appropriations for the remaining months of fiscal year 2007, a 4.9 percent increase over FY 2006. Details. More on Judiciary's Budget.

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February
Judges Don't Have 2007 COLA But Outside Income Ceiling Rises - February 28, 2007
Federal judges are still waiting for a cost-of-living increase in 2007, but the ceiling on outside earned income went up. Details.

Prison Transfers Speeded by eDesignate System - February 28, 2007
A relatively new technology is helping speed up the transfer of custody of criminal defendants from federal courts to the Federal Bureau of Prisons once they are sentenced to time behind bars. Details.

Sentencing Statistics Available Online - February 27, 2007
The U.S. Sentencing Commission has issued the 11th edition of its Sourcebook of Federal Sentencing Statistics. The volume covers fiscal year 2006, and offers national data as well as data on each judicial circuit and district. Details.

Pay Raise for Federal Judges Sought by Corporate Lawyers - February 23, 2007
The top lawyers at 60 major U.S. corporations have urged congressional leaders to provide a "substantial increase to the salaries of federal judges." Letter text (pdf).

O'Connor Project on Judiciary Established at Georgetown Law - February 21, 2007
The Sandra Day O'Connor Project on the State of the Judiciary has been established at Georgetown University Law Center, continuing the work of a conference held at the school last year. Details.

Pay Raise for Federal Judges Sought By 130 Law School Deans - February 16, 2007
The deans of 130 of the nation's law schools have sent letters to congressional leaders in support of "a substantial increase in the compensation of federal judges." Letter text (pdf).

Judicial Independence, Security Topics for Senate Hearing - February 14, 2007
Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy testified at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing February 14 on, among other topics, judicial independence, security for judges and their families, and judges' pay. Video (3:53).

Bankruptcy Fraud Hotline Launched - February 13, 2007
The American Bar Association's policy-making House of Delegates votes to urge Congress to "take immediate action" and give federal judges a pay increase. Details.

Federal Court Fees Listed Online - February 9, 2007
Need to check the costs of litigating in federal courts? All district, appellate, and bankruptcy court fees, as well as others, are online. Details.

Access to Federal Court Records Features Instant Registration - February 7, 2007
Access to case-and-docket information from federal appellate, district and bankruptcy courts is available through instant registration. Details.

Bankruptcy Fraud Hotline Launched - February 7, 2007
A newly available Internet hotline allows the public to report suspected instances of bankruptcy fraud. Details.

Enhanced Training Offered For New Officers - February 2, 2007
A five-week course hones various on-the-job skills new probation and pretrial services officers will need. Watch Video (3:15).

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January
Newly Posted Information on Probation, Pretrial Services - January 30, 2007
Want to know who federal probation and pretrial services officers are and what they do? Find those answers and more at a newly updated Officers page.

Lesson Planning, Homework Help For Supreme Court Broadcast - January 23, 2007
Educational resources that support National Public Television's broadcasts of The Supreme Court on January 31 and February 7 are available. Details.

Federal Court Statistics Newly Posted - January 18, 2007
Fiscal year 2006 statistics for each of the 12 regional U.S. courts of appeals and 94 U.S. district courts - plus national totals for the appellate and district courts - are now available. Details.

Pay Raises for Federal Judges Advocated by Attorney General - January 18, 2007
U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales believes federal judges should receive a pay raise, a way to attract and retain the best legal minds. Details. Speech text. (pdf)

Bogus Jury Duty Calls May Lead to Identity Theft - January 17, 2007
Several federal district courts report a resurgence of a fraudulent campaign in which citizens are being targeted by phone calls and threatened with prosecution for failing to comply with jury service. Such calls were first reported in August of 2005. These calls are not from real court officials. Details.

Re-Entry Program Helps At-Risk Offenders - January 9, 2007
A two-year program in which federal probation officers help offenders re-enter the community under close supervision is showing signs of success in the Western District of Michigan. Report.

Some Seminar Sponsors Must Make Disclosures - January 4, 2007
Many non-government providers of educational programs attended by federal judges must publicly disclose certain information about their programs and their sources of funding. Disclosure system.

Federal Judges' Pay: "Constitutional Crisis" - January 1, 2007
Chief Justice John Roberts Jr., in his 2006 year-end report, says the lagging pay of federal judges "has now reached the level of a constitutional crisis that threatens to undermine the strength and independence of the federal judiciary." Report (pdf).

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