June
Courthouse Priorities Passed Over Causes Concerns for Judiciary- June 16, 2009
New courthouse construction projects on the Judiciary's Five Year Plan are carefully assessed and ranked, yet the projects were passed over in the President's Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Request, a Judicial Conference representative tells a Senate subcommittee. New Release
Federal Courts Podcast Page Offers Listening Options- June 10, 2009
A new podcast page on this web site gives users the choice of listening on their computer, subscribing via RSS feed, downloading the MP3 to import into any MP3 player, or subscribing via ITunes. Podcast Page
Bankruptcy Filings for March Up 33 Percent- June 08, 2009
Bankruptcy filings for the 12-month period ending March 31, 2009 were up 33.3 percent over the same period over the previous year. Details
Judicial Vacancies Page Offers New Features- June 03, 2009
This web site's Federal Judicial Vacancies page has been updated, and now features, among other changes, data tables that can be sorted by column. New page
Available Online: Recordings of GM Bankruptcy Case Hearings- June 02, 2009
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of New York will make audio recordings of courtroom proceedings in the General Motors Corporation bankruptcy case available online, through the federal judiciary's Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system. Details Digital Audio Pilot
Hundreds of LA-Area Students Participate in Law Day 2009- June 01, 2009
Hundreds of Los Angeles high school students and teachers participated in Law Day 2009 hosted by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Details
May
CM/ECF: Plans Being Hatched For Next Generation- May 27, 2009
The federal judiciary's Case Management/Electronic Case Files system has dramatically streamlined and simplified federal court case filing, management, and access for more than a decade. Now, plans are already underway for the future of that system. Details
Federal Courts Work To Improve Forms- May 22, 2009
The federal judiciary's Forms Working Group updates and creates the national forms available to courts, bar, and the public. Details
Violence Along Border Discussed In Judges' Meeting- May 20, 2009
A briefing for federal judges who work along the southwest border discussed the causes and degree of border violence in Mexico and its possible spillover implications for U.S. judicial security. Details
Survey: Judiciary's Officers Experienced, Well-Educated- May 20, 2009
The federal Judiciary is served by probation and pretrial services officers who, as a group, are very well-experienced and well-educated, a recent survey indicates. Details
Court's ENS System Vital Part of its COOP- May 18, 2009
In the Western District of Washington, an Emergency Notification System used to alert court staff of dangerous conditions is a vital part of a Continuity of Operations Plan. Video
Available Online: Recordings of Hearings In Chrysler Bankruptcy Case- May 15, 2009
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of New York will make audio recordings of courtroom proceedings in the Chrysler LLC bankruptcy case available online, through the federal judiciary's Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system. Details Digital Audio Pilot Project
Costs of Imprisonment Far Exceed Supervision Costs- May 12, 2009
This graphic reflects the fiscal year 2008 cost of supervision by federal probation and pretrial services officers as compared to the cost of incarceration and pretrial detention. Details
Federal Courts Seek Comments On Revised Interpreter Contracts- May 12, 2009
Public comments are being sought until June 29, 2009, by the federal court system on proposed revisions in the Contract Court Interpreter Services Terms & Conditions and the revised Rate & Information Sheet. Details
Poll: Americans Want Interbranch Cooperation- May 12, 2009
Americans expect the three branches of government to work together to solve problems such as prison overcrowding, according to a public opinion survey released by the National Center for State Courts. Details
Law Day, Juror Appreciation Celebrated by Federal Courts- May 12, 2009
Federal courthouses in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania ﾢﾾﾀﾾﾓ in Philadelphia, Allentown, and Reading ﾢﾾﾀﾾﾓ celebrated Law Day and Juror Appreciation in ceremonies on May 12, 2009. A similar celebration was held in 2008. 2008 Video
April
Federal Court's Outreach Program A Success- April 29, 2009
Hundreds of high school students visited the federal courthouse in San Diego for an outreach event that gave them a chance to visit with legal professionals and learn about their jobs. Video
Judiciary: End Disparity In Cocaine Sentences- April 29, 2009
A representative of the policy-making Judicial Conference of the United States urges Congress to end the disparity in sentences for crimes involving powder and crack cocaine. News Release
Wiretap Applications Declined in 2008- April 27, 2009
A total of 1,891 applications to federal and state judges for orders authorizing the interception of wire, oral, or electronic communications were reported in calendar year 2008. The number represents a 14 percent decrease from authorizing orders in 2007. News Release
Federal Courts To Offer Jury-Friendly Web Page- April 22, 2009
Seventy-five federal district courts have signed on to offer potential jurors a web page where they can complete questionnaires and access information on when to report for jury service. Details
Appellate Court Opinions Available Via E-Technology- April 22, 2009
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit recently added RSS feeds for both opinions and audio recordings of oral arguments to its public web site. It joins five other federal appellate courts using Real Simple Syndication. Details
Innovative IT Programs Boost Court Efficiencies- April 22, 2009
Four innovative information technology projects that involve collaboration between two or more federal courts provide capabilities not currently available through national IT product. Details
Multidistrict Litigation Can Save Time, Money- April 20, 2009
The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, comprised of seven federal judges, hears requests to "centralize" similar lawsuits in federal courts across the nation. Such action can save time and money for litigants and the courts. Details
More Courts Offer Online Digital Audio Recordings- April 15, 2009
A pilot project to make digital audio recordings of courtroom proceedings publicly available online has been expanded, from five federal courts to nine, through the end of 2009. Details
Proposed Rule Changes Move Step Closer- April 10, 2009
An advisory committee has approved proposed amendments to several Criminal Rules. The proposals could take effect in late 2010 if approved by another Judicial Branch committee, the Judicial Conference of the United States, and the Supreme Court -- in the absence of other action by Congress. Details
Patent Case Special Masters Impact Assessed in Study- April 06, 2009
A new report studies the use of special masters in patent litigation, based on research requested by the Federal Judicial Center. Details
Fees Increased For Contract Interpreters- April 01, 2009
The fees for contract interpreters hired by the federal courts have been increased, effective April 1, 2009. Current Fees More about interpreters
March
PACER to List Sealed Cases- March 31, 2009
The Judicial Conference has voted to make federal court sealed cases more readily apparent. Details
Federal Courts Advised: Check Attorney's Credentials- March 31, 2009
Federal courts nationwide are being advised to do more to make sure the people who seek permission to represent clients in them are truly licensed lawyers. Details
Cost-of-Living Adjustment Given to Federal Judges- March 31, 2009
The nation's federal judges are authorized to receive a 2.8 percent cost-of-living adjustment for 2009, retroactive to January 1, 2009. Details
U.S. Marshals Service Honors Judge Lefkow- March 25, 2009
The U.S. Marshals Service dedicated the Joan H. Lefkow Conference Room at the agency's Threat Management Center on March 24. Judge Lefkow's husband Michael and mother Donna were murdered in 2005 by a disgruntled litigant. Details
Retired Justice O'Connor Endorses Learning Centers- March 23, 2009
Retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, presiding over the grand opening of a judicial learning center at a federal courthouse in St. Louis, voices the hope that other courts will use it as a model. Podcast
Hourly Rates Raised For CJA Panel Attorneys- March 23, 2009
Congress has authorized and provided funds to raise the non-capital hourly rate for private panel attorney compensation from $100 to $110 under the Criminal Justice Act. Details
Federal Judiciary Seeks FY 2010 Funding- March 19, 2009
A federal judge testified before a congressional subcommittee about the federal courts' appropriations needs for fiscal year 2010, which will begin October 1, 2009. News Release
Video Excerpt
Revised Code of Conduct Adopted for Federal Judges- March 17, 2009
The Judicial Conference of the United States has adopted a revised Code of Conduct for United States Judges that will take effect July 1, 2009. It's the first substantial Code revision since 1992. News Release
Federal Court Caseloads Grew During FY 2008- March 17, 2009
The work of the federal courts grew in all key caseload areas during fiscal year 2008. Appeals, civil, criminal, and bankruptcy filings all increased when compared to FY 2007. News Release
Court's Learning Center Focuses on Judiciary's Role- March 13, 2009
The federal courthouse in St. Louis has devoted 2,500 square feet to a judicial learning center, an interactive and engaging facility. Video
Sentencing Guidelines Seminar Slated for June 10-12- March 11, 2009
The U.S. Sentencing Commission will host its annual national seminar on federal sentencing guidelines in New Orleans June 10-12. Details
Self-Represented Litigants Helped by Legal Clinic- March 06, 2009
One of the nation's largest and busiest federal district courts has opened a clinic offering free legal assistance to litigants who are pursuing civil claims without benefit of an attorney. Details
Bankruptcies Rose 31 Percent, Topped One Million in 2008- March 05, 2009
Bankruptcy filings in the federal courts rose 31 percent in calendar year 2008, and totaled 1,117,771. And filings in the last three months of CY 2008 - the first quarter of the judiciary's 2009 fiscal year - rose 33 percent to 301,317. Details
President Bush's Judicial Appointments Ranked Third Behind Reagan, Clinton- March 03, 2009
President George W. Bush appointed 328 persons to Article III judgeships, the third most of any president. Details
District, Appellate Court Statistics For FY 2008 Now Available- March 03, 2009
The Federal Court Management Statistics for fiscal year 2008 - the 12-month period ending September 30, 2008 - are now available. Details
February
Federal Chief Judges Cite Mixed Blessings- February 25, 2009
Every federal court is led by a chief judge, whose position offers unique opportunities and challenges. Details
Most Class Action Plaintiffs Don't Seek Certification- February 25, 2009
A recent study finds that plaintiffs in most diversity cases never asked a judge to "certify a class" of those allegedly affected similarly. Details
Various Techniques For Change Used by Probation Officers- February 25, 2009
Federal probation officers employ various techniques aimed at modifying antisocial behavior and thereby reduce recidivism among offenders. Details
More than 1 Million Criminals Punished Under Sentencing Guidelines- February 25, 2009
By the end of fiscal year 2008, more than one million federal offenders had been sentenced under the Sentencing Guidelines. The demographics of those sentenced has changed little over the past 17 years. Details
Federal Court Forms Now Categorized- February 19, 2009
A list of 56 new and restyled civil and criminal forms has been posted in a categorized listing. Details
Alternative Sentencing Report Notes Imprisonment Trends- February 13, 2009
A new report by the U.S. Sentencing Commission discusses the use of alternative sentencing and the percentage of federal defendants who are sentenced to prison. Details (pdf)
Updated Courts Access: Email and Wireless- February 10, 2009
Text messaging support to the federal judiciary's email subscription service is newly available. Users may subscribe for email updates, subscribe for text message updates, or subscribe for both email and text message updates together. Details
Information Technology Long Range Plan, FY 2009- February 10, 2009
The fiscal year 2009 update to the Long Range Plan for Information Technology in the Federal Judiciary articulates five-year directions and objectives for the judiciary's information technology program. Details
Judiciary's Exchange Program Seeks Greater Understanding- February 06, 2009
The first initiative of a new Court-Administrative Office Exchange Program, called the Director's Leadership Program, is being launched. Details
Newly Posted: Proceedings Of Judicial Conference- February 05, 2009
The Report of the Proceedings of the Judicial Conference of the United States for September 16, 2008, is now online. Report
New and Revised Forms Available On One List- February 03, 2009
A list of 56 new and restyled civil and criminal forms has been posted. A working group of judges, clerks, and staff members in the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts has rewritten the forms in simple, modern English. Details
January
New Poverty Guidelines Posted on Bankruptcy Page- January 30, 2009
New poverty guidelines for 2009, needed by persons seeking fee waivers when filing for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code, have been posted. Guidelines Other Bankruptcy Resources
Court Interpreting Events Increased in FY 2008- January 28, 2009
The number of federal court events requiring the use of interpreters increased by 14.9 percent in the 12 months ending September 30, 2008. Details
Jury Service Phone Scam Still Presents Problem- January 27, 2009
Beware, no authentic federal court official will call you about failing to report for jury service. Such notice always comes in the mail. If you receive such a call, it's likely a scam. Previous Warning
Sentencing Commission To Hold Regional Hearings- January 22, 2009
The U.S. Sentencing Commission will hold a series of regional public hearings on federal sentencing policy, beginning Feb. 10-11 in Atlanta. News Release
Caseload Statistics Posted: Through March 31, 2008- January 14, 2009
The Federal Judicial Caseload Statistics tables for courts of appeals, district courts, bankruptcy courts, and the federal probation system and pretrial services through March 31, 2008 are newly posted. Details
Newly Posted: Primer On Appeals Courts- January 12, 2009
The Federal Judicial Center has posted a monograph that offers a brief introduction to the complexity and nuance in the subject-matter jurisdiction of the U.S. Courts of Appeals, including civil and criminal appeals, extraordinary writs, and federal agency reviews. Details
For Rules Committee Records- January 09, 2009
A new feature called Quick Links offers links to frequently used Rules Committee records and information. Details
Federal Court Caseloads Grew in 2008- January 06, 2009
The number of cases filed in most levels of the federal court system - the courts of appeals, district courts, and bankruptcy courts - grew in 2008. Chief Justice Roberts referred to these statistics in his year-end report. Details
Federal Court Managers Help Mold Training- January 06, 2009
A 10-member Training Program Planning Team is working to identify specific training needs for federal court executives. Details
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