The courts are efficiently managing their caseload now

The federal Judiciary uses a wide array of initiatives—including advanced technology, cost reduction and aggressive auditing—to deliver justice efficiently, while enhancing public access to and knowledge of the courts, according to testimony delivered July 6 to a House Judiciary subcommittee. “As the Third Branch performs its constitutional duties,” said James C. Duff, Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, “we are focused on being good stewards of the resources Congress has provided, while also meeting the needs of the litigants and the public.” Duff testified before the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet, about “the Judicial Branch and the Efficient Administration of Justice.” Written testimony also was submitted by U.S. District Chief Judge Rodney W. Sippel, of the Eastern District of Missouri. In his testimony, Duff noted that federal court caseloads have increased nearly four-fold in the last 50 years, while judgeships only doubled. “The fact that our judges and courts are meeting many of the challenges of increasing caseloads is a testament to the efficiencies in our court system,” Duff said. Duff cited several initiatives to deliver justice efficiently and cost effectively, while also enhancing public access. Effective case management, including the use of visiting judges, helps courts with heavy caseloads, while magistrate judges and senior judges help manage caseloads in all courts. Shared Administrative Services and work measurement analyses have reduced total court staffing requirements by nearly 3,900 full-time equivalent positions since 2011. Refined budget formulations, and an aggressive auditing program and other fiscal controls, have led to savings. Court space reduction by 3 percent by the end of fiscal year 2018. Information technology improvements, including centralized hosting services and a national videoconferencing service, have reduced individual court costs. Electronic case filing and Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) have made court documents readily available to the public, while the Government Printing Office provides free access to court opinions. EJuror provides electronic registration for jurors, while Debtor Electronic Bankruptcy Noticing, has reduced notification costs.