Judiciary News
Judiciary Releases Annual Report and Judicial Business 2020
Published onMarch 16, 2021
Along with the rest of America, the Judiciary confronted significant challenges in 2020, led by the need to meet its constitutional obligations amid a deadly global pandemic. Federal courts learned to keep operations going, despite restricted access to courthouses, with a quickly evolving reliance on technology and the resilience of a 30,000-strong workforce, according to the Annual Report of the Director Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (AO).
Judiciary Seeks New Judgeships, Reaffirms Need for Enhanced Security
Published onMarch 16, 2021
The Judicial Conference of the United States, the Judiciary’s policy-making body, today addressed two of its most pressing issues – a proposal to add 79 new judgeships for courts across the country and initiatives to improve both personal and courthouse security.
Program on VMI Case Recalls Ginsburg’s Crusade for Gender Equality
Published onMarch 11, 2021
A recent program honoring the 25th anniversary of a landmark case allowing women to enroll in the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) also celebrated a broader theme: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s decades-long effort to remove gender bias from state and federal laws.
Smoke Tests Protect Courtroom Air From COVID-19
Published onMarch 4, 2021
Even as vaccines begin to protect the public from the coronavirus (COVID-19), one of the Judiciary’s biggest priorities is ensuring that the air inside courtrooms and hallways remains safe as courts schedule more in-person legal proceedings.
A new U.S. Courts video highlights a simple technique used to protect court users: a smoke test, which makes air currents inside buildings visible.
Leon DeKalb: U.S. Probation’s First Black Officer
Published onFebruary 25, 2021
Leon Elmer DeKalb made history nearly 80 years ago when he became the first African American probation officer in the federal court system.
Judiciary Seeks 2022 Funding, Cites Caseload Resurgence and Security Needs
Published onFebruary 24, 2021
Federal Judiciary officials have asked Congress for $8.12 billion to fund judicial branch operations for fiscal year 2022. The request includes funding to keep pace with inflationary and other budget adjustments, and to pay for program increases, including projected workload changes, courthouse security, cybersecurity, and new magistrate judges.
As Pandemic Lingers, Courts Lean Into Virtual Technology
Published onFebruary 18, 2021
As the coronavirus (COVID-19) has dragged on, a small number of courts have begun conducting virtual bench trials and even virtual civil jury trials in which jurors work from home. Here is a review of ways courts are using electronic communications to deliver justice during the pandemic.
Just the Facts: Trends in Pro Se Civil Litigation from 2000 to 2019
Published onFebruary 11, 2021
Most federal pro se cases are civil actions filed by persons serving time in prison. Pro se prisoner petitions spiked in 2016 after a pair of Supreme Court rulings made it possible for certain prisoners to petition to have their sentences vacated or remanded. Non-prisoners who file pro se actions most often raise civil rights claims.
Autherine Lucy: Failed Integration Bid Left Lasting Legacy
Published onFebruary 9, 2021
The story of Autherine Lucy, who challenged segregation at the University of Alabama in 1956, is featured in the African American History Month page. Despite a federal court ruling, Lucy’s career as a student lasted just three days. But her fight against racism still inspires African American students today.
Peter Fay, One of Three Judges in Florida Who Served 50 Years, Dies at 92
Published onFebruary 4, 2021
Peter T. Fay, one of three federal judges from Florida who each served more than 50 years after being confirmed the same day in 1970, died Sunday in Miami at the age of 92.
Annual Bankruptcy Filings Fall 29.7 Percent
Published onJanuary 28, 2021
Bankruptcy filings fell sharply for the 12-month period ending Dec. 31, 2020, despite a significant surge in unemployment related to the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Judiciary Addresses Cybersecurity Breach: Extra Safeguards to Protect Sensitive Court Records
Published onJanuary 6, 2021
After the recent disclosure of widespread cybersecurity breaches of both private sector and government computer systems, federal courts are immediately adding new security procedures to protect highly sensitive confidential documents filed with the courts.
Duff to Retire as Administrative Office Director; Judge Mauskopf Named as Successor
Published onJanuary 5, 2021
James C. Duff has announced he will retire as the director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts on Jan. 31. Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., has appointed Chief Judge Roslynn R. Mauskopf, of the Eastern District of New York, as his successor, effective Feb. 1.
Chief Justice Roberts Issues 2020 Year-End Report
Published onDecember 31, 2020
Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., has issued his 2020 Year-End Report on the Federal Judiciary.
Judicial Security Legislation Stalls, Awaits Congressional Action in 2021
Published onDecember 17, 2020
On Wednesday afternoon, the United States Senate considered but failed to act on the Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act of 2020, legislation that would enhance the security protections for federal judges nationwide.