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Judiciary News

Federal Courts Improve Use of Jurors

August 31, 2012

The federal courts continue to improve their juror utilization rates, which in turn has led to savings for the Judiciary of nearly $300,000.

Tropical Storm Isaac Closes Courthouses in the Gulf Region

August 27, 2012
Image courtesy: NOAA

UPDATED: August 30, 2012 at 12:00 p.m. – In the Southern District of Alabama, the federal courthouse will be closed Wednesday, August 29, 2012, due to the effects from Tropical Storm Isaac. Normal operations will resume on Thursday, August 30, 2012.

2011 Report Details Consumer Bankruptcy Filings

August 27, 2012

A 2011 statistical report on debtors with primarily consumer debt filing for bankruptcy shows an 11 percent drop in case filings, a 23 percent drop in filer assets, 25 percent drop in filer liabilities and a 28 percent incidence of repeat filers.

Public Comment Period and Revamped Website Open

August 16, 2012

The public comment period has opened for several proposed amendments to the Federal Rules of Practice and Procedure, which govern litigation in the federal courts. The comment period closes February 15, 2013.

Webinars Ease Law Clerk Application Process

August 14, 2012

Law schools are looking ahead to another law clerk hiring season. Just in time, a series of informational webinars hosted by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts are bringing them up to speed on the federal Judiciary’s Online System for Clerkship Application and Review, or OSCAR.

Topeka Federal Courthouse in Energy-Reduction Race

August 9, 2012

The Frank Carlson Federal Building and Courthouse in Topeka, Kansas is in an energy race with seven other finalists nationwide. The contestants—federal buildings that include a military exchange, a research facility and an office building—vie to consume the least amount of energy this fiscal year and win the Better Buildings Federal Award.

Linked Systems Automate Petty Offense Case Management for First Time

August 7, 2012

In July, the District of Maryland was the first court to throw away the paper in processing petty offenses, linking their Case Management/Electronic Case Files (CM/ECF) system with the Central Violations Bureau (CVB), the national center charged with processing citations issued and payments received for petty offenses committed on federal property.

Bankruptcy Filings Continue Decline

August 3, 2012

Bankruptcy filings for the 12-month period ending June 30, 2012, totaled 1,311,602 petitions, 14 percent less than the 1,529,560 filed in the 12-month period ending June 30, 2011, according to statistics released today by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.

'First' Judge Steps Down in Rhode Island

August 2, 2012
Arthur Votolato, the first bankruptcy judge to sit in Rhode Island, retired this week at age 81.

Arthur Votolato is a record-setter. He was the first bankruptcy judge to sit in Rhode Island, and for 44 years, he was the only U.S. bankruptcy judge to serve the state. He also enjoyed the distinction of being the longest continuously serving active bankruptcy judge in U.S. history.

Cameras Pilot One Year Later

July 31, 2012

A year after the federal Judiciary began its cameras in the courtroom pilot program in 14 federal trial courts, 39 court proceedings are available online for public viewing on the Judiciary’s website. The video recordings and brief summaries of the cases are organized by court, subject matter, and procedural posture. The posted videos have been viewed over 28,000 times since the pilot began in July 2011.

Independence Day is a Popular Date for Naturalization Ceremonies

July 26, 2012
Naturalization ceremony held in Overland Park, Kansas.

Independence Day is a fitting date to take the oath of U.S. citizenship and many courts across the country hold naturalization ceremonies. And what says America more than a naturalization ceremony held on a famous aircraft carrier, or on the steps of an historic Town Hall.

What Happens When Cities Go Bankrupt?

July 13, 2012

Over the last few weeks, municipalities have declared bankruptcy. Chapter 9 of the Bankruptcy Code provides for reorganization of municipalities, which includes cities and towns, as well as villages, counties, taxing districts, municipal utilities, and school districts.