Judiciary News
Fiscal Year Bankruptcy Filings Lowest in Seven Years
![Fiscal Year Bankruptcy Filings Lowest in Seven Years A representational map depicting the lowest drop in bankruptcy filings in seven years](/sites/all/modules/lazyloader/image_placeholder.gif)
Published onOctober 28, 2014
New bankruptcy filings fell 13 percent in Fiscal Year 2014, to 963,739. This is the lowest number of bankruptcy filings for any 12-month period since 2007.
New Jury Messaging System Improves Customer Service
![A concept image of a man holding a smartphone to represent the new jury messaging system.](/sites/all/modules/lazyloader/image_placeholder.gif)
Published onOctober 22, 2014
A new Integrated Voice Response notifies jurors of schedule changes through phone, email and text alerts. The system reduces inconvenience to the public and saves staff time and costs.
Rise in Numbers of Serious Offenders Takes Toll on Supervision Resources
Published onOctober 15, 2014
Since 2003, the number of offenders in the two most serious criminal history categories has increased nearly 20 percent, straining post-conviction supervision resources.
Court’s Largest Single Disbursement Reaches Thousands of Victims
![In a five day marathon, staff from the clerk’s office in the District of New Jersey prepared a mailing of restitution checks to over 18,000 victims in a telemarketing fraud and identity theft case. An image of court staff from the clerk’s office in the District of New Jersey prepared a mailing of restitution checks to over 18,000 victims in a telemarketing fraud and identity theft case.](/sites/all/modules/lazyloader/image_placeholder.gif)
Published onOctober 8, 2014
Take one international bank fraud scheme, 17 co-conspirators, 18,253 victims and over $3 million in restitution. Add a dedicated district court staff and you have what is believed to be the largest single check disbursement made to date by any district court.
New Chairs Named for Judicial Conference Committees
Published onSeptember 30, 2014
Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. named five new Judicial Conference committee chairs and extended the terms of six current Conference committee chairs. The new appointments were effective October 1, 2014.
Southern District of New York Makes September "Disaster Preparedness Month"
![Chief Judge Loretta A. Preska (S.D. NY) talks to jurors about planning for emergencies at work and home as part of the district’s observance of “Disaster Preparedness Month.”](/sites/all/modules/lazyloader/image_placeholder.gif)
Published onSeptember 24, 2014
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York observed September as “Disaster Preparedness Month,” with events to raise awareness of emergency planning.
From Coast to Coast, Judiciary Celebrates New Citizens
![Video Celebrates a Day of Citizenship A naturalization ceremony takes place in a U.S. National park as part of the celebration of Citizenship Day.](/sites/all/modules/lazyloader/image_placeholder.gif)
Published onSeptember 24, 2014
A new video shows scenes from a memorable day in which the Judiciary naturalized 8,500 new citizens in a coast-to-coast celebration of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.
Judiciary, New Citizens and Students Honor Constitution Day
![Judiciary, New Citizens, Students Celebrate Constitution Day Students Celebrate Constitution Day at Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park.](/sites/all/modules/lazyloader/image_placeholder.gif)
Published onSeptember 17, 2014
Students got a living lesson in civics as 8,500 new citizens were naturalized in a nationwide Judiciary celebration of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.
Judicial Conference Receives Budget Update, Forwards Rules Package to Supreme Court
Published onSeptember 16, 2014
In the last six months, courts have begun to backfill some of the 3,400 staff lost between July 2011 and March 2014, and also restore funding for critical public safety programs, such as probation and pretrial services.
Judiciary, GSA Begin Dialogue on Rent, Maintenance
Published onSeptember 9, 2014
The federal Judiciary and the General Services Administration (GSA) are launching an important new dialogue on space and rent management, at a time when the U.S. government’s landlord and one of its largest tenants are both grappling with a new era of downsizing.
Naturalizations Highlight National Celebration of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
![Naturalizations Highlight National Celebration of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day Naturalizations Highlight National Celebration of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day](/sites/all/modules/lazyloader/image_placeholder.gif)
Published onSeptember 2, 2014
In a first for the federal Judiciary, America’s newest citizens are being invited to join an annual celebration of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, by taking part in more than two dozen naturalization ceremonies that will be held from Maine to Alaska on Sept. 17 and 18.
Probation Office Pilots Lean, Open Design to Shrink Space, Rent Bills
![Glass-enclosed meeting rooms can be smaller, while maintaining an open feel. Here, a meeting is held at an office of Accenture, a consulting firm that has assisted on the Integrated Workplace Initiative. Glass-enclosed meeting rooms can be smaller, while maintaining an open feel. Here, a meeting is held at an office of Accenture, a consulting firm that has assisted on the Integrated Workplace Initiative.](/sites/all/modules/lazyloader/image_placeholder.gif)
Published onAugust 27, 2014
A probation office in Chicago has become the national "flagship" of a federal Judiciary initiative to shrink rent costs, by reimagining and downsizing the traditional office workplace.
Criminal Justice Act: At 50 Years, a Landmark in the Right to Counsel
![Criminal Justice Act: At 50 Years, a Landmark in the Right to Counsel Criminal Justice Act: At 50 Years, a Landmark in the Right to Counsel](/sites/all/modules/lazyloader/image_placeholder.gif)
Published onAugust 20, 2014
On Aug. 20, 1964, the President signed into law the Criminal Justice Act, guaranteeing paid legal counsel for federal criminal defendants who could not afford it. Fifty years later, many hail the CJA and the federal defenders system as a shining success.
On Topic: Courts Struggle To Supervise Offenders
Published onAugust 14, 2014
In the latest On Topic interview, U.S. Judge Irene M. Keeley discusses the federal supervision system.
New ‘Court Shorts’ Video Details Right to Counsel
Published onAugust 7, 2014
A new “Court Shorts” video, focusing on the Sixth Amendment right to counsel, has been released by the federal judiciary, expanding a series of short video and audio podcasts that teach young people about our nation’s Constitution, courts and individual rights.