Judiciary News
Conservative Approach Hallmark of Criminal Case File Reappraisal
Published onMarch 4, 2014
The Administrative Office has received approval from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) of a revised records disposition schedule for non-electronic criminal case files.
Telephone Interpreting Program: Access to Justice for All
Published onFebruary 25, 2014
In a federal courtroom, a witness, who only speaks Foochow, provides testimony in a case where no one in the room speaks that language. In a preliminary hearing, a Spanish-speaking defendant responds to questions from the judge. In both instances, an interpreter bridging the language gap for the participants is miles away at the other end of a telephone.
In Pathways Video, Federal Judge Recalls Coming of Age in Civil Rights Era
Published onFebruary 18, 2014
African American History Month, celebrated every February, this year occurs during the 50th anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and of Freedom Summer, two landmark events that helped end legal segregation in America.
Judiciary Restores Pay Rates for Panel Attorneys
Published onFebruary 13, 2014
The hourly pay rates for lawyers who represent indigent defendants in federal criminal cases, which were temporarily reduced last year, have been restored, effective March 1, 2014.
New Contact System Makes Sure Offenders Are Never Out of Reach
Published onFebruary 11, 2014
Nearly 158,000 offenders and defendants are under supervision in the federal probation and pretrial system. For officers, maintaining contact with each client is essential. Three districts currently are piloting a web-based Client Electronic Notification System (CENS) that will help officers maintain that contact and safeguard the community.
In Unusual Hearing, 6 From Arizona Seek Court Confirmation
Published onFebruary 7, 2014
In a highly unusual confirmation hearing, six nominees from one federal court district—Arizona—prepare to testify, during a recent session of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Naturalization Ceremony Becomes a Lesson in Citizenship
Published onFebruary 5, 2014
A federal judge from the Northern District of Ohio held a recent naturalization ceremony at a Cleveland history museum, and in the process created a memorable event for two groups.
In Time of Need, Flooded State Court Gets Help From Federal Neighbor
Published onJanuary 30, 2014
When a state courthouse in Lexington, Ky., was shut down by a recent plumbing incident, a neighboring federal courthouse offered assistance in an unusual way.
Bankruptcy Filings Down 12 Percent in Calendar Year 2013
Published onJanuary 29, 2014
In calendar year 2013, there was a 12 percent drop in cases filed in federal bankruptcy courts.
Dispute Resolution in Federal Courts: New Study to Look at How It's Working
Published onJanuary 23, 2014
The different ways federal district courts provide settlement assistance to parties is the focus of a new study by the Federal Judicial Center (FJC). Eight district courts are participating in the study to be completed by late 2014.
With LENS, Offender Data Quickly Reaches Officers on Beat
Published onJanuary 16, 2014
A police officer on a DUI stop logs into the online Law Enforcement Notification System (LENS) and finds that not only is the driver under federal supervision for a prior drug offense, but the conditions of release stipulate no alcohol use.
Public Alert: Scam Emails About Phony Court Cases Carry Computer Virus
Published onJanuary 13, 2014
The federal judiciary has issued a warning about an email scam that has affected a number of state courts.
Federal Law Clerk Hiring Plan Is ‘Discontinued’
Published onJanuary 13, 2014
The Federal Law Clerk Hiring Plan, which sought to bring order to the process of hiring judges’ law clerks, “has been effectively discontinued, and no further dates are being set in connection with the plan,” according to a memo sent to all federal judges.
Working Group Seeks Ways to Pull Plug on Cybercrime
Published onJanuary 7, 2014
A group of probation and pretrial services officers is looking at how to supervise offenders and defendants who use our society's pervasive programmable electronic devices to commit or conceal crimes.
2013 Year-End Report on Judiciary: Help Needed to Repair Sequestration's Damage
Published onDecember 31, 2013
In his year-end report, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. said that despite a decade of cost-cutting efforts, federal courts need help in overcoming budget damage caused by sequestration.