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Judiciary News

Justice John Paul Stevens Receives Presidential Medal of Freedom

May 30, 2012
Justice John Paul Stevens receives Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Associate Justice John Paul Stevens received the Presidential Medal of Freedom this week. The Medal of Freedom is the Nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.

All Federal Courts Now Accepting Electronic Filing

May 17, 2012

The DC-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has begun accepting electronic filings via the judiciary’s Case Management-Electronic Case Files system, joining every other federal appellate, district, and bankruptcy court in doing so.

Federal Defenders: Face of the Sixth Amendment

May 11, 2012

The Constitution’s Sixth Amendment states that in all criminal prosecutions “the accused shall . . .have the assistance of counsel for his defense.” But what does that mean for defendants who are penniless? In federal courts, the answer is the federal defender program.

Bankruptcy Filings Down 13 Percent for March

May 9, 2012

Bankruptcy filings for the 12-month period ending March 31, 2012, fell 13 percent compared to bankruptcy filings for the 12-months ending March 31, 2011, according to statistics released today by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.

Longtime Judge James R. Browning Dies

May 8, 2012

Judge James R. Browning, a member of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit for more than 50 years, died at age 93 on May 5. He served as his court’s chief judge for 12 years, and was Clerk of the U.S. Supreme Court before his judicial appointment.

Law Day Promotes the Rule of Law

May 1, 2012

May 1 is Law Day in the United States, a day to reflect on what the rule of law has meant to the development of our nation and the continuing role it plays.

AO, Justice Department Jointly Recommend ESI Discovery Practices

April 23, 2012

After 18 months of negotiation, the Administrative Office and the Department of Justice jointly have developed a set of recommendations aimed at making the production or exchange of ESI discovery between prosecutors and defense counsel more efficient and cost-effective.

Losses to Courts Underscore Funding Needs

April 20, 2012

Budget Committee chair, Judge Julia S. Gibbons, and AO Director, Judge Thomas F. Hogan asked House appropriators to provide a 3.1 percent funding increase for fiscal year 2013.

Kiosk Reporting Use in Top 10 Districts

April 19, 2012
Top Ten Districts in Kiosk Use for Post-Conviction Reports

Probation and pretrial services offices in 27 districts are using 79 kiosks to gather routine status reports from defendants and offenders. Here are the top 10 districts in kiosk use.