Benchbook for U.S. District Court Judges. Fifth Edition

摘要

As was the purpose of the first edition published in 1969 by the Federal Judicial Center, the purpose of this fifth edition of the Benchbook for U.S. District Court Judges is to provide a quick, practical guide to help judges with situations they are likely to encounter on the bench. Although the Benchbook is written primarily for district court judges and magistrate judges, bankruptcy judges may also find useful information provided in many of the sections. The Benchbook covers procedures that are required by statute, rule, or case law, offering detailed guidance from experienced trial judges on these requirements and other matters that arise in the courtroom. New judges in particular should benefit from the Benchbook, but even experienced judges may find useful reminders on how to deal with routine matters or helpful starting points when they face particular situations for the first time. This edition of the Benchbook incorporates recent changes to relevant statutes, rules, and case law, including new material covering United States v. Booker, 125 S. Ct. 738 (2005), and the Crime Victims Rights Act (18 U.S.C. SC 3771). There is a new section on preliminary injunctions, and a revised grand jury charge, which was created by merging the former Benchbook charge with the charge approved in 1986 by the Judicial Conference of the United States. It is important to emphasize that the material in the Benchbook represents only the Benchbook Committees recommended approaches for dealing with specific situations.