Friday, May 16, 2008
Page 3
U.S. Senate Committee Approves Creation of New Judgeships
By a MetNews Staff Writer
The Senate Judiciary Committee approved legislation yesterday creating six new judgeships for the Ninth Circuit, including two temporary judgeships, and 12 new judgeships for California’s federal district courts, including five positions, one temporary, in this district.
The Federal Judgeship Act of 2008, based on the most-recent recommendations of the Judicial Conference of the United States, was introduced on March 13 by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman of the Judiciary Committee to create new federal judgeships across the country.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), one of the bills co-sponsors, said in a release:
“Congress has not passed a comprehensive bill to create new judgeships since 1990, and since that time, America’s courts have become strained under massive caseloads. And California’s federal courts are shouldering the brunt of the pain.”
The release stated that federal appellate court caseloads have risen by 55 percent, and district court caseloads have risen by 29 percent in the past 18 years.
The legislation would create four new judgeships in the Eastern District of Californai and three in the state’s Northern District.
According to the release, none of these positions will become effective until after the new president is inaugurated next January. A new Ninth Circuit judgeship is to come into existence at that time.
Copyright 2008, Metropolitan News Company