Use of Visiting Judges in the Federal District Courts: A Guide for Judges and Court Personnel

摘要

Faced with rising caseloads and limits on judicial resources, the judiciary must make some difficult decisions about how to marshal its resources. One approach to managing resources is interdistrict collaboration and assistance. Judges from less burdened districts can assist overburdened districts in a variety of ways. The guide begins with the most basic questions: How do courts acquire visitors and how do judges become visitors. It then addresses court and case-management concerns, ranging from finding a visitor to disposing of posttrial events that may arise after the judges departure. The guide also describes how visiting judges can work most effectively with judges and staff in the host court. Chapter One explains the authority for use of visiting judges. Chapters Two and Three are directed mainly at courts hosting visitors: Chapter Two describes the procedures for finding a visitor; Chapter Three provides detailed suggestions for courts about hosting visiting judges and includes a section about how new technology can be used to structure visiting judge assignments that require little or no travel by the visiting judge and staff. Chapters Four and Five are directed mainly at judges who would like to serve as visiting judges: Chapter Four outlines how to get a visiting judge assignment; Chapter Five lists issues to consider when taking an assignment. Chapter Six describes the elements of successful visiting judge programs. Chapter Seven concludes the guide.