Federal Judicial Administration:
Individual Courts:
The day-to-day responsibility for judicial administration rests with each individual court. Each court is given the responsibility by statute and administrative practice to appoint support staff, supervise spending, and manage the court's records.
The chief judge of each court plays a key leadership role in overseeing and coordinating the efficient operations of the court. Although the chief judge is generally responsible for overseeing day-to-day court administration, important policy decisions are made by the judges of the court working together.
The primary administrative officer of each court is the clerk of court. The clerk manages the court's non-judicial functions in accordance with policies set by the court, and reports directly to the court through its chief judge. Among the clerk's many functions are: · Maintaining the records and dockets of the court · Paying all fees, fines, costs and other monies collected into the U.S. Treasury · Administering the court's jury system · Providing interpreters and court reporters · Sending official court notices and summons · Providing courtroom support services
The Circuit Judicial Councils:
At the regional level, a "circuit judicial council" in each circuit oversees the administration of the courts located in its geographic circuit. Each circuit judicial council consists of the chief circuit judge, who serves as the chair, and an equal number of other circuit and district judges.
The judicial council oversees numerous aspects of court of appeals and district court operations. It is authorized by statute to issue orders to promote accountability and the "effective and expeditious administration of justice within its circuit." Aside from its fundamental responsibility to ensure that individual courts are operating effectively, the judicial council is responsible for reviewing local court rules for consistency with national rules of procedure, approving district court plans on topics such as equal employment opportunity and jury selection, and reviewing complaints of judicial misconduct. Each judicial council appoints a "circuit executive," who works closely with the chief circuit judge to coordinate a wide range of administrative matters in the circuit.
The Judicial Conference of the United States: The Judicial Conference of the United States is the federal courts' national policy-making body. The Chief Justice of the United States presides over the Judicial Conference, which consists of 26 other members including the chief judge of each court of appeals, one district court judge from each regional circuit, and the chief judge of the Court of International Trade. The Judicial Conference works through committees established along subject matter lines to recommend national policies and legislation on all aspects of federal judicial administration. Committees include budget, rules of practice and procedure, court administration and case management, criminal law, bankruptcy, judicial resources (judgeships and personnel matters), automation and technology, and codes of conduct.
The Administrative Office of the United States Courts The Administrative Office provides a broad range of legislative, legal, financial, automation, management, administrative, and program support services to the federal courts. The Administrative Office, an agency within the judicial branch, is responsible for carrying out the policies of the Judicial Conference of the United States. A primary responsibility of the Administrative Office is to provide staff support and counsel to the Judicial Conference and its committees. The numerous responsibilities of the Administrative Office also include: collecting and reporting judicial branch statistics, developing budgets, conducting studies and assessments of judiciary ope [1] [2] [3] [4] 下一页
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