Judicial Center

(United States) Federal Judicial Center

The (United States) Federal Judicial Center is the judicial branch’s agency for policy research and continuing education. The Federal Judicial Center (see more here) was created by act of December 20, 1967 (28 U.S.C. 620), to further the development and adoption of improved judicial administration in the courts of the United States.

The Center’s basic policies and activities are determined by its Board, which is composed of the Chief Justice of the United States, who is permanent Chair of the Board by statute, and two judges of the U.S. courts of appeals, three judges of the U.S. district courts, one bankruptcy judge, and one magistrate judge, all of whom are elected for 4-year terms by the Judicial Conference of the United States. The Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts is also a permanent member of the Board.

The Center develops and administers orientation and continuing education programs for Federal judges and defenders and nonjudicial court personnel, including probation officers, pretrial services officers, and clerks’ office employees. It conducts research on and evaluates the Federal rules of practice and procedure, court management, and sentencing and its consequences. The Center produces research reports, training manuals, video programs, and computer-based training on the Federal courts; provides guidance and advice and maintains data and records relevant for documenting and conserving the history of the Federal courts; and cooperates with and assists other agencies and organizations in providing advice to improve the administration of justice in foreign courts.

Mission

The statutory purpose of the Federal Judicial Center is “to further the development and adoption of improved judicial administration in the courts of the United States.” Its functions are listed in 28 U.S.C. §§ 620-629. The center has two major missions:

• to conduct and promote research and study of the operations of the federal courts, and
• to develop and conduct continuing education and training programs for federal judges, court employees, and others.

The center’s statute also mandates that it conduct, coordinate, and encourage programs relating to the history of the judicial branch and also cooperate with and assist agencies of the federal government and other appropriate organizations in providing information and advice to further improvement in the administration of justice in the courts of foreign countries.

Publications and Electronic Access

Selected publications, Federal judicial history databases, and educational resources are available on the Federal Judicial Center’s Web site. In relation to publications, single copies of most Federal Judicial Center publications are available free of charge.