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The Judicial Update

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Judgepedia's collection of judicial news stories from around the nation.


Ninth Circuit annual judicial conference in Hawaii draws questions from U.S. Senators over cost   May 22, 2012

Washington, D.C.: Senate Budget Committee member Jeff Sessions (R-AL) and Senate Judiciary Committee member Chuck Grassley (R-IA) sent a letter to Chief Judge Alex Kozinski of the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals demanding answers regarding the expected cost of the circuit's four-day annual conference scheduled in Hawaii this year.[1][2][3]

In the letter, Senator Sessions and Grassley question the cost of the conference in the face of financial cost constraints that federal agencies are facing. They point the $230-$250 cost per night per room for an estimated 700 guests at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, where the conference is scheduled; the non-business related activities scheduled before the conference, like surfing lessons and a tennis tournament; and the anticipated cost of flight to the island, which they estimate would be at least $9,000 for the 12 circuit judges out of Montana alone. The senators demanded detailed historical cost information on past conferences and answers on a wide variety of questions related to the currently scheduled conference by June 15.[4]

In a brief initial response on the conference website, Circuit and Court of Appeals Executive Cathy A. Catterson writes:

As part of the Third Branch of government, the Ninth Circuit is fully aware of its responsibilities as a steward of public funds. The conference is authorized by law "for the purpose of considering the business of the courts and advising means of improving the administration of justice within the circuit." [§ 28 U.S.C. Sec. 333] The conference fully adheres to these goals, providing an exceptional educational program and the opportunity to conduct numerous business meetings that further circuit governance. Judges and other attendees take seriously their obligation to participate fully in the conference. Costs for lodging and air travel to attend the conference are comparative to those found at mainland venues. Any sporting and recreational activities are paid for by individuals and are not reimbursable.[5]

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has jurisdiction in: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, as well as the territories of Guam and the Northern Marina Islands.

For more information on Senator Sessions and Grassley questions, view their letter.

For more information on the 2012 Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference, schedule for August 13-16, visit the conference website.

  1. ↑ The Wall Street Journal: Law Blog, "Senators Question Ninth Circuit over Hawaii Conference," May 21, 2012
  2. ↑ Hawaii News Now, "Judges conference in Maui scrutinized," May 21, 2012
  3. ↑ Reuters, "Republicans challenge appeals court meeting in Maui," May 21, 2012
  4. ↑ Senator Jeff Sessions and Senator Chuck Grassley, Letter to the Honorable Alex Kozinski, May 18, 2012
  5. ↑ Office of the Circuit Executive (United States Court of the Ninth Circuit), "2012 Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference"

Justice Joan Orie Melvin suspended from Pennsylvania Supreme Court   May 21, 2012

Pennsylvania: Two years after the first indictment of her sisters, Justice Joan Orie Melvin has now been indicted by a grand jury for utilizing her staff at the Superior Court during campaigns for the Supreme Court in 2003 and 2009. In addition, Orie Melvin is accused of also being directly involved in coordinating the staff of her sister, state Senator Jane Orie, for the benefit of Orie Melvin's campaigns. [1] All told, Orie Melvin is charged with nine criminal counts. [2]

Justice Orie Melvin insists that she is innocent and will not resign from the Supreme Court. She also contends that the charges brought against her are politically motivated. [3]

Following the indictment, Orie Melvin was suspended with pay from the Supreme Court. The court intended to "protect and preserve the integrity of the Unified Judicial System and the administration of justice of the citizens of this Commonwealth" with the suspension. Separately, Orie Melvin sent a letter to Chief Justice Ronald Castille, recusing herself from all judicial matters until the situation was revolved. [2]

The Associated Press reports that this is only the second time in the history of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court that a sitting justice will face criminal charges. [4]

To learn more about the history of the charges against Justice Orie Melvin's sisters, read: Supreme Weekly: Redistricting, ethics charges and major rulings from January 12, 2012. Also, visit Jane Orie on Ballotpedia.

  1. ↑ Law.com, Allegheny County Investigating Grand Jury release
  2. ↑ Philly.com, "Judge rejects call to resign," May 20, 2012
  3. ↑ The Associated Press, "Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin says charges against are 'politically motivated'," May 18, 2012

Justice Breyer a victim of robbery for second time in 2012   May 18, 2012

Washington D.C.: For the second time this year, Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer was a victim of robbery. On May 4 2012, Beyer's D.C. home was burglarized. No one was home at the time of the burglary, and it was discovered by a housekeeper. No court materials were stolen and the court did not divulge what was lost. In February, Breyer and his wife were the victims of a robbery by a machete wielding assailant on the Caribbean island of Nevis. They lost $1000 during the incident and the robbery was reported to local officials. While the court does not release information on Supreme Court Security, it is well known that the Justices are protected when traveling domestically by U.S. Marshals and by the Supreme Court Police Force while at the court. Breyer and the other justices will be returning to DC on May 21 for a new court session.

JP Election Brief: Focus on the Gulf States and Northwest   May 17, 2012

by: State Court Staff


Every Thursday, Judgepedia's State Court Staff examines events in the world of judicial elections across the nation. Make sure to use Judgepedia's Election Central the rest of the week as a hub for all your judicial election needs.
Judgepedia:WikiProject Original Content

Federal Courts, Empty Benches:The Wednesday Vacancy Count 5/16/2012   May 16, 2012

By Joshua Meyer-Gutbrod

For a District by District break down, see: Federal Court Vacancy Warning System
The current vacancy warning level for the U.S. District courts is set at Blue. There was one new confirmation at the appellate level and one new confirmation at the district level and one new vacancy at the district court this past week, leaving the final tally at 71 vacancies or approximately 8.2% of the total Article III posts currently unfilled. In addition, we cover the creation of one new post this past year and the expiration of one temporary post. The vacancy information for the various court levels is as follows:


Key:
(Numbers indicate % of seats vacant.)
0%0%-10%
10%-25%25%-40%
More than 40%
Supreme Court 0% or no vacancies
Appeals Courts 7.8% or 14 vacancies
District Courts 8.4% or 57 vacancies

There are currently 9 Supreme Court posts, 179 appellate court posts and 680 district court posts for a total of 868 Article III judges. This count includes four temporary posts, one each in the Northern District of Alabama, District of Arizona, Southern District of Florida and the Central District of California. This also includes a shared post between the two Missouri districts and counts it as two posts with separate vacancies.

Tenth Anniversary Celebrated at Prince George’s County Circuit Court Adult Drug Court   May 16, 2012

Upper Marlboro, Maryland: Prince George's County Circuit Court will be celebrating the tenth anniversary of its Adult Drug Court on May 17, 2012.[1]

“Drug courts work, and we want to celebrate with the Prince George’s County adult drug court team, graduates and alumni to recognize 10 years of innovative justice. Drug courts are the place where treatment and justice meet to give substance abusers the opportunity and environment they need to experience a life of sobriety void of criminal behavior,” said Judge Sheila R. Tillerson Adams, the administrative judge for Prince George’s County and the Seventh Judicial Circuit.[1]

New graduates and alumni will talk about how participating in the drug court changed their life during the commencement and celebration. Furthermore, a video about the Prince George’s County’s drug court program will be premiered during the event.[1]

Judges and special guest speakers at the event will include:[1]

The keynote speaker will be Dr. Jacqueline F. Brown, the executive director of the Prince George’s African American Museum and Cultural Center.[1]

The month of May is known as National Drug Court Month.[1]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Maryland Judiciary-Prince George’s County Circuit Court Adult Drug Court Celebrates Tenth Anniversary with Special Commencement Ceremony-May 10, 2012

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