Judiciary News
Courthouses Win Architectural Awards
Published onNovember 15, 2016
Seven U.S. courthouses are among the 17 federal buildings honored in this year’s General Services Administration Design Awards.
Four WWII Veteran Judges, All in 90s, Still Going Strong
Published onNovember 8, 2016
Two years after a video featured five World War II veterans who became federal judges in the Eastern District of New York, four continue to serve on the bench and carry substantial caseloads, even as they all have entered their 90s.
CA Central District in LA Has a New Home in the “Cube”
Published onNovember 3, 2016
The Central District of California in Los Angeles officially opens for business in its new digs on Monday, Nov. 7, after moving into its recently completed cube-shaped courthouse in the downtown area.
Decline in Bankruptcy Filings Slowing
Published onOctober 26, 2016
For the third straight quarter, bankruptcy filings fell by less than 10 percent, with filings falling by 6.3 percent for the 12-month period ending September 30, 2016, compared with the year ending September 30, 2015.
Federal Family Supports Probation Officer’s Survivors
Published onOctober 20, 2016
Nancy Gahl lost her “soul mate” when her husband, probation officer Thomas E. Gahl, was shot and killed by one of his clients 30 years ago. But after that terrible loss, she says she gained a family in the federal community that came to her aid.
Probation Academy Creates Real-Life Scenarios to Train Officers
Published onOctober 20, 2016
The special training that probation and pretrial officers need to effectively and safely do their jobs borrows from real-life incidents to create dynamic, realistic environments.
After Four Decades on the Bench, Every Day is New
Published onOctober 13, 2016
On Oct. 1, Noce began his sixth, eight-year term, making him the longest-serving, active magistrate judge in the federal system.
New Citizens Take Oath Coast to Coast
Published onOctober 5, 2016
This year, as part of the U.S. courts’ annual, national initiative, federal judges swore in thousands of new citizens at more than 40 ceremonies throughout the country, including at many national historic places and national parks.
Court’s Focus on Jurors Saves Time, Money and Frustration
Published onSeptember 29, 2016
Juries play a unique and central role in America’s justice system. But for many prospective jurors who are summoned, federal jury service is anything but exalting. Instead, it can be a long, listless day of waiting, only to be told that the court has more than enough candidates to fill the panel. In the District of Connecticut, that has changed dramatically.
Constitution Day 2016: New Citizens Take Oath at Iconic Sites
Published onSeptember 16, 2016
Students participated in real-life civics lessons at naturalization ceremonies scheduled at iconic places from Ellis Island to Pearl Harbor, in celebration of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day on Friday, September 16.
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.
Four Begin Supreme Court Fellowships
Published onAugust 25, 2016
Four new Supreme Court Fellows will begin their 2016-2017 fellowships in August.
Class Actions, Electronic Filings Highlight Rules Proposals
Published onAugust 17, 2016
Proposed updates of the rule governing class-action lawsuits, and a proposal to mandate electronic filings by lawyers, highlight a broad array of proposed amendments to the Federal Rules of Practice and Procedure.
Alabama Court Invites Children to Celebrate Citizenship
Published onAugust 11, 2016
Citizen naturalization ceremonies are among the happiest and most inspirational events that take place in federal courtrooms, and now the Middle District of Alabama has found a way to make sure that the children of immigrants don’t miss out on a cherished rite of passage.
New Federal Bar Chief Embraces Courts’ Civics Education
Published onAugust 4, 2016
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael Newman, of the Southern District of Ohio, takes over in September as the new president of the Federal Bar Association, comprised of federal legal practitioners and judges.