New CAED

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, ... require immediate action.

Former Eastern District Chief Judge David F. Levi
Sworn In to Serve on the Data Protection Review Court

Section 3 of the Executive Order of October 7, 2022, “Enhancing Safeguards for United States Signals Intelligence Activities,” authorizes and directs the Attorney General to issue regulations to establish a Data Protection Review Court (“DPRC”) as the second level of a two-level redress mechanism. On October 7, 2022, Attorney General Merrick Garland signed a new regulation establishing the DPRC. The DPRC independently reviews determinations made by the Civil Liberties Protection Officer of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (“ODNI CLPO”) in response to qualifying complaints sent by individuals through appropriate public authorities that allege certain violations of United States law in the conduct of United States signals intelligence activities.

The Judges of the DPRC are:

Senate Confirms District Judge Ana de Alba to U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit 

The United States Senate today [Monday, November 13, 2023] voted 48-43 to confirm President Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s, nomination of District Judge Ana de Alba to serve as a circuit judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Congratulations from the Eastern District of California.

Eastern District of California U.S. District Court Adopts Interim Emergency Plan for Managing Fresno Caseload Pending Appointment of New District Judge

While the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California continues to celebrate Judge Ana I. de Alba’s recent elevation to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, it also is taking steps to address management of the criminal and civil caseload that was assigned to Judge de Alba. As of Dec. 1, 2023, that caseload will be reassigned to “NODJ,” a reflection of the absence of a dedicated presiding district judge pending the President’s appointment of a successor.

Notice of Change to Fee Schedule

Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1914, the Judicial Conference of the United States approved several changes to the district court miscellaneous fee schedule, effective December 1, 2023. Click for Memo

The Court mourns the passing of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor on December 1, 2023.  Appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1981, Justice O’Connor was the first woman appointed to the Supreme Court, where she served until her retirement in 2006.

Senate Confirms Daniel J. Calabretta for Federal Judgeship in Eastern District of California

On February 16, 2023, the United States Senate voted to confirm President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.’s, nomination of California Superior Court Judge Daniel J. Calabretta to serve as a U.S. district judge for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California.

Judge Edward J. Garcia
1928-2023

Judge Edward J. Garcia passed away on Saturday morning, April 29, 2023. Judge Garcia served as a U.S. District Court Judge in the Eastern District of California for 28 years.

Chief District Judge issues General Order 662 extending General Order 614, the use of videoconference and teleconference technology in certain criminal proceedings under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, another 90 days.