Judiciary News
Ninth Circuit Seats First All-Alaskan Appellate Panel
Published onOctober 18, 2013
The luck of the draw produced the first All-Alaskan appellate panel in the Ninth Circuit this month. Senior Circuit Judge Andrew J. Kleinfeld of Fairbanks, Circuit Judge Morgan Christen of Anchorage, and Senior District Judge John W. Sedwick, also of Anchorage, (photo left to right) sat as a panel on October 11th to hear oral arguments at the Richard H. Chambers U.S. Court of Appeals Building in Pasadena, California.
31 Court Facilities to be Downsized in First Year of Cost-Cutting Project
Published onOctober 15, 2013
Thirty-one federal court facilities will be downsized or closed in a nationwide program to reduce work space, claiming more than $1.7 million in incentives to release underused offices back to the General Services Administration (GSA).
Update: Judiciary to Operate Through October 18, 2013
Published onOctober 10, 2013
The Judiciary will remain open for business through October 18, 2013. When no funding mechanism was in place on October 1, 2013, the Judiciary projected that fee income and no-year appropriated funds would enable court operations to continue for ten business days.
Shutdown, Holdup for the Courts
Published onOctober 7, 2013
The federal courts may be open during the government shutdown, but it’s far from “business as usual.” According to a Department of Justice memo, U.S. Attorneys across the country have been directed to “curtail or postpone” civil litigation.
Terms Begin for New Conference Committee Chairs
Published onOctober 4, 2013
Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. has named five new Judicial Conference committee chairs and extended the terms of four current Conference committee chairs. The new appointments became effective October 1, 2013.
Seminar on Short Trial Program Scheduled for Nevada Federal Court
Published onOctober 2, 2013
The U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada will hold a CLE seminar on its new short trial pilot program on October 9. The pilot promises an expedited trial —both early and short—in civil cases. Short trial rules (pdf) control the length of the trial, including restrictions on discovery, the use of smaller juries, and time limits for presentation of evidence.
Judiciary Open During Government Shutdown
Published onSeptember 26, 2013
Following a government shutdown on October 1, 2013, the federal Judiciary will remain open for business for approximately 10 business days. On or around October 15, 2013, the Judiciary will reassess its situation and provide further guidance.
Early Termination of Supervision Cost-Effective and Safe
Published onSeptember 24, 2013
A federal Judiciary study of early termination of supervision of low-risk offenders shows that the practice not only saves money, it does so without compromising public safety.
Judge Hogan’s Leadership and “Generous Spirit” Lauded
Published onSeptember 19, 2013
Judge Thomas F. Hogan was recently honored by the Judicial Conference of the United States for his distinguished service to the federal judiciary.
Judiciary Supports Reevaluation of Mandatory Minimum Sentences
Published onSeptember 18, 2013
The chair of the Judicial Conference Criminal Law Committee has written in support of Congress’s efforts “to review and ameliorate the deleterious and unwanted consequences spawned by mandatory minimum sentencing provisions.”
Conference Approves Additional Cost-Saving Measures
Published onSeptember 17, 2013
At its biannual meeting, the Judicial Conference approved the latest in a series of cost-cutting measures. Conference actions continue the Judiciary's decade-long cost-containment efforts that have become increasingly aggressive as sequestration triggered broad cuts in court staff and programs.
Judiciary Appeals to President Obama on Funding
Published onSeptember 12, 2013
In a September 10 letter, the Judiciary has appealed to President Obama for the funding necessary in fiscal year 2014 to perform its essential constitutional functions. Without it, the federal courts face additional reductions in staff and services that will severely affect individuals and businesses seeking to resolve disputes.
Quiz Yourself: The U.S. Constitution
Published onSeptember 12, 2013
Americans celebrate the U.S. Constitution on September 17 each year. Test your knowledge about our nation’s most historic and influential document.
Caseload Increases Stress Need for New Federal Judgeships
Published onSeptember 10, 2013
The chair of the Judicial Conference Committee on Judicial Resources told a Senate subcommittee that the judicial workforce needs to expand if the Judiciary is to continue to serve litigants efficiently and effectively.
2013-14 Program Begins for Supreme Court Fellows
Published onSeptember 5, 2013
The 2013-14 Supreme Court Fellows program begins this fall for four mid-career professionals who will have the opportunity to participate over the next year in the administration of the federal court system at the national level.