Judicial Conference of the United States Transmits Judgeships Request to Congress; Recognizes “Severity of Conditions” in Eastern District of California “Require Immediate Attention”

On April 25, 2023, the Judicial Conference of the United States (JCUS) transmitted to Congress its biennial request for new federal court judgeships. In her transmittal cover letter, JCUS Secretary Roslynn R. Mauskopf noted, “Seven of our district courts continue to struggle with extraordinarily high and sustained workloads. The severity of conditions in the District of Delaware, the Eastern District of California, the Northern District of California, the Southern District of Indiana, the Eastern District of Texas, the Southern District of Texas, and the Western District of Texas require immediate action. The Judicial Conference urges Congress to establish, as soon as possible, new judgeships in those districts.”

The JCUS transmittal letters are shown below.

Senate 2023 Judgeship Transmittal Letter to Hon. Kamala Harris
House 2023 Judgeship Transmittal Letter to Hon. Kevin McCarthy

 

The Eastern District of California has requested 5 additional district judgeships to ensure it can handle its high, sustained caseloads, now and for the foreseeable future as the Central Valley’s population continues to grow. The Judicial Council of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has supported the Eastern District’s request. The District’s justification for the 5 additional positions is provided below.

EDCA BJS 2023 Response

 

The Eastern District has needed additional district judgeships for more than 30 years, as explained in Chief Judge Mueller’s testimony to Congress in 2021.