Judiciary News
Criminal Justice Act: Protecting the Right to Counsel for 60 Years
Published onAugust 15, 2024
For 60 years, the Criminal Justice Act has ensured that defendants who cannot afford to retain an attorney receive professional legal counsel by providing funding for court-appointed counsel in federal cases.
Applications Open for PACER User Group
Published onAugust 2, 2024
The federal Judiciary is accepting applications for membership in its public user group that provides advice and feedback on ways to improve electronic public access (EPA) services.
Bankruptcy Filings Rise 16.2 Percent
Published onJuly 25, 2024
Personal and business bankruptcy filings rose 16.2 percent in the twelve-month period ending June 30, 2024, compared with the previous year.
Probation and Pretrial Officers Help Bring Positive Change in the Community
Published onJuly 23, 2024
U.S. probation and pretrial officers must balance two very important goals: protecting public safety and helping people they oversee make positive changes in their lives. In recognition of National Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision (PPPS) Week, a new video explains the work of officers and their unique roles in the administration of justice, providing insight into how they do their jobs effectively.
2023 Wiretap Report: Intercepts Fall, Arrests Rise
Published onJune 28, 2024
Federal and state courts reported a combined 13 percent decrease in authorized wiretaps in 2023, compared with 2022, according to the Judiciary’s 2023 Wiretap Report. Arrests in cases involving electronic surveillance increased, while convictions decreased.
No Funds Available for Additional Chapter 7 Trustee Payments
Published onMay 3, 2024
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has advised the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts that it has no funds available to transfer to the Judiciary to make additional payments to eligible chapter 7 bankruptcy trustees for fiscal year 2023.
Program Recalls Courage of Fred Korematsu and his Fight for Justice
Published onMay 2, 2024
Honolulu high school students experienced the journey of Fred Korematsu firsthand during a courtroom reenactment of Korematsu’s fight for racial justice that included the attorneys who represented him.
Bankruptcies Rise 16 Percent Over Previous Year
Published onApril 25, 2024
Bankruptcy filings rose 16 percent during the 12-month period ending March 31, 2024. That is a similar rate of acceleration as in the Dec. 31, 2023, quarterly report, but new bankruptcy cases remain significantly lower than before the start of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Outreach Event Sparks Dialogue on Disability Rights
Published onApril 18, 2024
Hundreds of lawyers and community members joined Minnesota federal judges in a recent courthouse event fostering awareness of disability rights.
Judge Aleta Trauger Opened Doors for Women in Law
Published onMarch 26, 2024
Aleta A. Trauger earned a reputation as a tough prosecutor after convicting a former Tennessee governor during her stint at the U.S. attorney’s office. The 1981 case, which dealt with selling liquor licenses to political friends, gave her credibility in a male-dominated space.
Case Closure Rates Get Longer as E-Discovery Increases
Published onMarch 21, 2024
Across the country, federal defender offices are struggling with increasingly complex litigation marked by escalating electronic discovery demands. Staffing shortages and the lingering effects of the COVID pandemic have added to their challenges.
Conference Acts to Promote Random Case Assignment
Published onMarch 12, 2024
The Judicial Conference of the United States has strengthened the policy governing random case assignment, limiting the ability of litigants to effectively choose judges in certain cases by where they file a lawsuit.
Judiciary Releases Annual Report and Judicial Business Data
Published onMarch 12, 2024
The Judiciary today released its Annual Report providing detailed information about mission critical initiatives that advanced over the course of 2023, including efforts to enhance the court system’s physical and information technology security and modernize its IT systems.
New Court Programs Inspire Students to Enter Legal Profession
![Judges and program facilitators celebrate the first class of Kazen fellows during a graduation ceremony at the federal courthouse in Laredo, Texas.](/https/www.uscourts.gov/sites/all/modules/lazyloader/image_placeholder.gif)
Published onFebruary 29, 2024
Federal judges across the country are partnering with local bar associations, community groups, and schools to bring programs like these to high school students in the communities they serve.
Judge Raymond Lohier Shares His Immigration Story and the Diverse Perspective it Brings
Published onFebruary 15, 2024
A new video profile explores Judge Raymond J. Lohier, Jr.'s, Haitian and Caribbean heritage and the story of how his family came to America.