Judiciary News
National Lab Keeps Officers One Digital Step Ahead
Published onJune 27, 2018
A robotic arm gestures across a tablet screen, using sophisticated software to try to crack a geometric passcode. Drones and flash drives lie dissected on a workbench, while a state-of-the-art computer scans a hard drive. This isn’t the CSI Crime Lab, it’s the Eastern District of Missouri’s National Forensic Laboratory.
Courts Need New Judgeships, Judicial Conference tells Congress
Published onJune 21, 2018
“The lack of additional judgeships, combined with the growth in caseload, has created difficulties for many courts across the nation,” Chief Judge Lawrence Stengel told a House subcommittee today. “It has reached urgent levels in five districts that are struggling with extraordinarily high and sustained workload,” he said in prepared testimony. The courts are the: Eastern District of California, District of Delaware, Southern District of Florida, Southern District of Indiana, and Western District of Texas.
Workplace Changes Recommended for Judiciary
Published onJune 4, 2018
The Federal Judiciary Workplace Conduct Working Group, a group of federal judges and senior Judiciary officials formed at the request of Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., issued a report recommending measures to improve workplace conduct policies and procedures in the federal Judiciary.
Celebrating 50 Years of Magistrate Judges
Published onMay 23, 2018
Magistrate judges play an important role in the judicial process, helping district judges in criminal and civil matters by handling complaints, issuing search warrants, holding preliminary hearings, and much more.
U.S. Courts Celebrate Law Day
Published onMay 17, 2018
Federal courts around the country sponsored a variety of events to commemorate Law Day during the month of May, a tradition celebrating the rule of law in the United States that dates to the Eisenhower administration.
Court Celebrates New Citizens, in Living Color
Published onMay 10, 2018
An effort to spruce up a courthouse display case with photos from a naturalization ceremony quickly became something more--an opportunity for the District of Maine to share the joy of 39 new citizens with their friends and families around the globe.
Courts Extend Thanks to Jurors
Published onMay 3, 2018
This week is Juror Appreciation Week, and federal courts across the country are honoring citizens for their participation and raising awareness about the importance of jury service.
Students Learn Civil Discourse Skills in Federal Courts
Published onApril 26, 2018
In an effort to bolster civil discourse and good decision-making in the next generation of jurors and engaged citizens, federal judges are hosting high school and college students in their courtrooms to observe, learn, and practice critical life skills.
Bankruptcy Filings Continue to Decline
Published onApril 26, 2018
Bankruptcy filings fell by 1.8 percent for the 12-month period ending March 31, 2018, compared with the year ending March 31, 2017.
Judiciary Seeks 2019 Funding, Highlights Cost-Saving Successes
Published onApril 18, 2018
Representatives of the federal Judiciary today asked Congress to provide $7.22 billion in fiscal year 2019 to fund continuing operations of the judicial branch. The request includes funding to sustain cybersecurity initiatives and ensure sufficient security at federal courthouses.
From Courtroom to Classroom: Judges Invest Themselves in Financial Literacy
Published onApril 12, 2018
April is Financial Literacy Month, and bankruptcy courts across the country are doing what they can to foster greater awareness of the benefits of informed personal-finance planning and decision-making.
Court Recalls MLK’s Last Legal Battle
Published onApril 6, 2018
The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee revisits Martin Luther King, Jr.,'s last legal battle.
Jurors, Defense Lawyers Receive Rate Increases; Funding Approved for 3 Courthouses
Published onMarch 28, 2018
The daily fee paid to federal jurors will increase for the first time since 1990, private attorneys appointed to represent indigents will receive an hourly rate increase, and the General Services Administration will get $437 million to build three urgently needed courthouse projects, as a result of funding included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018.
AO Publishes Annual Report and Court Statistics
Published onMarch 13, 2018
The Judiciary confronted many challenges in 2017 that reinforced the importance and value of court employees working together through “a coordinated and unified approach.” That was the message from James C. Duff, the director of the Administrative Office on the U.S. Courts, in his annual report on the activities and the state of business of the U.S. courts published today.
Judicial Conference Receives Status Report on Workplace Conduct Review
Published onMarch 13, 2018
Nearly 20 reforms and improvements have been implemented or are under development to help address workplace conduct concerns in the federal judiciary, James C. Duff, Chair of the Federal Judiciary Workplace Conduct Working Group, reported today at the biannual meeting of the Judicial Conference.