Judiciary News
James C. Duff to Return as AO Director in January 2015
Published onNovember 4, 2014
Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. has appointed James C. Duff as Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, effective Jan. 5, 2015. Duff succeeds Judge John D. Bates, who will return full-time to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Duff previously served as AO director from 2006 to 2011.
Fiscal Year Bankruptcy Filings Lowest in Seven Years
Published onOctober 28, 2014
New bankruptcy filings fell 13 percent in Fiscal Year 2014, to 963,739. This is the lowest number of bankruptcy filings for any 12-month period since 2007.
New Jury Messaging System Improves Customer Service
Published onOctober 22, 2014
A new Integrated Voice Response notifies jurors of schedule changes through phone, email and text alerts. The system reduces inconvenience to the public and saves staff time and costs.
Rise in Numbers of Serious Offenders Takes Toll on Supervision Resources
Published onOctober 15, 2014
Since 2003, the number of offenders in the two most serious criminal history categories has increased nearly 20 percent, straining post-conviction supervision resources.
Court’s Largest Single Disbursement Reaches Thousands of Victims
Published onOctober 8, 2014
Take one international bank fraud scheme, 17 co-conspirators, 18,253 victims and over $3 million in restitution. Add a dedicated district court staff and you have what is believed to be the largest single check disbursement made to date by any district court.
New Chairs Named for Judicial Conference Committees
Published onSeptember 30, 2014
Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. named five new Judicial Conference committee chairs and extended the terms of six current Conference committee chairs. The new appointments were effective October 1, 2014.
Southern District of New York Makes September "Disaster Preparedness Month"
Published onSeptember 24, 2014
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York observed September as “Disaster Preparedness Month,” with events to raise awareness of emergency planning.
From Coast to Coast, Judiciary Celebrates New Citizens
Published onSeptember 24, 2014
A new video shows scenes from a memorable day in which the Judiciary naturalized 8,500 new citizens in a coast-to-coast celebration of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.
Judiciary, New Citizens and Students Honor Constitution Day
Published onSeptember 17, 2014
Students got a living lesson in civics as 8,500 new citizens were naturalized in a nationwide Judiciary celebration of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.
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.
Judiciary, GSA Begin Dialogue on Rent, Maintenance
Published onSeptember 9, 2014
The federal Judiciary and the General Services Administration (GSA) are launching an important new dialogue on space and rent management, at a time when the U.S. government’s landlord and one of its largest tenants are both grappling with a new era of downsizing.
Naturalizations Highlight National Celebration of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
Published onSeptember 2, 2014
In a first for the federal Judiciary, America’s newest citizens are being invited to join an annual celebration of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, by taking part in more than two dozen naturalization ceremonies that will be held from Maine to Alaska on Sept. 17 and 18.
Probation Office Pilots Lean, Open Design to Shrink Space, Rent Bills
Published onAugust 27, 2014
A probation office in Chicago has become the national "flagship" of a federal Judiciary initiative to shrink rent costs, by reimagining and downsizing the traditional office workplace.
Criminal Justice Act: At 50 Years, a Landmark in the Right to Counsel
Published onAugust 20, 2014
On Aug. 20, 1964, the President signed into law the Criminal Justice Act, guaranteeing paid legal counsel for federal criminal defendants who could not afford it. Fifty years later, many hail the CJA and the federal defenders system as a shining success.
On Topic: Courts Struggle To Supervise Offenders
Published onAugust 14, 2014
In the latest On Topic interview, U.S. Judge Irene M. Keeley discusses the federal supervision system.