Judiciary News
As Electoral College Votes, a Little-Known Role for U.S. Courts
Published onDecember 6, 2012
Every four years, U.S. courts play a little-known role to help ensure that the Electoral College votes are received in Washington and properly counted.
Immigration Cases Continue to Surge, Says FY 2011 Commission Review
Published onDecember 3, 2012
According to data released this month by the U.S. Sentencing Commission, immigration cases were the fastest growing segment of cases in the federal system for which an offender was sentenced in fiscal year 2011. Until fiscal year 2009, the most common federal crime had been drug-related.
Committee Targets Officer Stress
Published onNovember 29, 2012
"Bring your body bags," was the message left by an offender on a probation officer’s cell phone. "I’ll kill you and your family," another offender wrote an officer from prison after his probation was revoked.
Court Insider: What is a Bankruptcy Appellate Panel?
Published onNovember 26, 2012
A Bankruptcy Appellate Panel, or BAP, is authorized by 28 U.S.C. § 158 (b) to hear, with consent of all the parties, appeals from bankruptcy courts that otherwise would be heard by district courts, but only in those districts in which the district judges authorize appeals to BAPs.
Court Insider: New Defender Case Management System Debuts
Published onNovember 20, 2012
All 80 federal defender organizations in districts across the country have begun using a new web-based system, defenderData, to manage their case information; schedule events, generate, edit, index and search case-related documents, and produce reports.
Lawyers Honor Court Education Program in St. Louis
Published onNovember 16, 2012
A public education program housed in the Thomas F. Eagleton Courthouse has received the St. Louis Bar Foundation’s Spirit of Justice Award, for its excellence in teaching young audiences about the workings of the courts.
Virgin Islands Court Discovers Historic Danish Records
Published onNovember 15, 2012
A comprehensive review of case record assets at the District Court of the Virgin Islands uncovered historic documents dating back to 1767 — when Denmark still owned the islands and the American colonies had yet to declare their independence from Great Britain.
Apply to the Supreme Court Fellows Program
Published onNovember 13, 2012
You have until November 30, 2012 to apply for one of the most unique Fellowships in the federal Judiciary. The Supreme Court Fellows Program offers the opportunity not only to learn about the issues facing the Judiciary—but to contribute to the work of the Supreme Court, Federal Judicial Center, Administrative Office of the United States Courts and United States Sentencing Commission.
As Veterans Day Nears, Video Honors Clerk Who Made General
Published onNovember 9, 2012
Marcia Anderson is the bankruptcy clerk of court for the Western District of Wisconsin. She also is the nation's first female African American major general in the U.S. Army Reserve. Her story and how she balances these two very different worlds are the themes of a new "Serving Our Courts, Serving Our Country" video, released by the United States Courts to honor Veterans Day 2012.
Bankruptcy Filings Down in Fiscal Year 2012
Published onNovember 7, 2012
Bankruptcy cases filed in federal courts for fiscal year 2012, the 12-month period ending September 30, 2012, totaled 1,261,140, down 14 percent from the 1,467,221 bankruptcy cases filed in FY 2011, according to statistics released today by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.
Court Honors Indiana Senators
Published onNovember 6, 2012
Former Senator Evan Bayh and Senator Richard Lugar were recognized for their service to the federal Judiciary by the judges from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.
After Hurricane Sandy, Courts in New York Struggle to Restore Operations
Published onNovember 2, 2012
Hurricane Sandy, which caused widespread chaos throughout the Northeast, has put federal courts based in Manhattan in their worst operational crisis since the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Case Studies in Emergency Election Litigation
Published onOctober 31, 2012
In addition to debates, rallies, and political ads, election season often includes litigation. The Federal Judicial Center (FJC) has published a collection of 80 case studies on emergency election litigation in federal courts.
Federal Courthouses Remain Closed in Manhattan
Published onOctober 30, 2012
UPDATED: Most federal courts in states hit by Hurricane Sandy have reopened, but power failures continue to shut down four courts in Manhattan.
Inclement Weather Closes Federal Courts
Published onOctober 28, 2012
Courts throughout the east are bracing for Hurricane Sandy. Several have posted closure notices on their court Internet sites.