Judiciary News
Federal Courts Participate in Audio Livestream Pilot
Published onDecember 15, 2020
Thirteen district courts around the country will livestream audio of select proceedings in civil cases of public interest next year as part of a two-year pilot program.
Judges Bring Students and Their Families an Inside Look at The Bill of Rights
Published onDecember 10, 2020
Students and parents across the Midwest gathered around computer screens set up at kitchen tables, desks, and couches to join federal judges and volunteer attorneys in an educational celebration of the Bill of Rights in advance of its Dec. 15 anniversary.
Judicial and Legislative Branches to Continue Discussions on Judiciary Case Management Bill
Published onDecember 9, 2020
The Judicial Conference of the United States expressed its opposition to the version of a bill passed by the House this week, saying it “will have devastating budgetary and operational impact on the Judiciary and our ability to serve the public” by imposing radical and costly changes on the Third Branch’s electronic case management system without adequate funding.
Judiciary Calls for Passage of Security Legislation
Published onDecember 4, 2020
The Judiciary implores Congress to pass the Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act of 2020 during the current lame duck session. The bipartisan bill if passed, would improve security at judges’ homes and at federal courthouses across the country.
Courts Suspending Jury Trials as COVID-19 Cases Surge
Published onNovember 20, 2020
About two dozen U.S. district courts have posted orders that suspend jury trials or grand jury proceedings, and scale back other courthouse activities in response to a sharp nationwide rise in coronavirus (COVID-19) cases. The surge in new court orders in recent weeks marks a significant pause in efforts by federal courts to resume full operations.
Law Clerk Hiring Plan Extended
Published onNovember 12, 2020
The Judiciary’s Federal Law Clerk Hiring Pilot Plan, which makes the judicial clerkship hiring process more transparent and uniform, has been extended for two years after getting good reviews from both law school deans and judges.
Chief Justice Names Conference Committee Chairs
Published onOctober 30, 2020
Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. has named eight new chairs of Judicial Conference committees and extended the term of a current chair by one year.
Chief Standing Bear: A Hero of Native American Civil Rights
Published onOctober 29, 2020
A new Moments in History video, in recognition of Native American Heritage Month, recounts how Chief Standing Bear persuaded a federal judge in 1879 to recognize Native Americans as persons with the right to sue for their freedom, establishing him as one of the nation’s earliest civil rights heroes.
Bankruptcy Filings Fall Sharply for Second Straight Quarter
Published onOctober 29, 2020
Despite continued high unemployment related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, personal and business bankruptcy filings fell 21.1 percent for the 12-month period ending Sept. 30, 2020, according to statistics released by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.
Grand Juries Carry on During Pandemic
Published onOctober 27, 2020
As the federal courts have gradually resumed operations with new pandemic-era health and safety rules in place, one aspect of the courts’ mission is on a fast track: the resumption of grand jury proceedings.
Judges Share 50 Years as Colleagues and Friends
Published onOctober 23, 2020
On the same afternoon in October 1970, the Senate confirmed four new federal judges from Florida. This month, three are celebrating a half-century on the bench, as well as a strong, continuing friendship.
Judge Rya Zobel to Receive 2020 Devitt Award
Published onOctober 20, 2020
Senior U.S. District Judge Rya Zobel, who grew up in Nazi Germany and later became the first woman to serve as director of the Federal Judicial Center, is the recipient of the 2020 Edward J. Devitt Distinguished Service to Justice Award.
New Jury Instructions Strengthen Social Media Cautions
Published onOctober 1, 2020
A federal Judiciary committee has issued a new set of model jury instructions that federal judges may use to deter jurors from using social media to research or communicate about cases.
Judiciary Steps Up Calls to Enact Security Measures
Published onSeptember 22, 2020
Citing the latest act of violence this year, in which a judge's family and officers at two federal courthouses have come under attack, the Judiciary has stepped up its call to congressional leaders for a series of safety measures “to protect the safety of the public at our nation’s courthouses.”
Facing Long Post-Hurricane Recovery, Court in La. Gets Help From Friends
Published onSeptember 21, 2020
Hurricane Laura has left a lasting impact on the Western Louisiana community of Lake Charles, and the federal courthouse could be closed a year or more. Despite the disarray, courts in New Orleans, Texas, and even Alaska have reached out to support the court’s staff in getting back on their feet.