NCJ Number
78045
Date Published
1979
Length
102 pages
Annotation
Officials from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts and the General Services Administration (GSA) as well as a Florida Congressman testified before a House subcommittee on the urgent need for additional court space following the passage of the Omnibus Judgeship Act which increased Federal judgeships by about 30 percent.
Abstract
Problems involving the courtroom building in the Southern District of Florida located in Miami were introduced by the area's Congressman who emphasized that repairs of old buildings have been neglected and new construction delayed while caseloads have steadily increased. GSA officials then presented the prospectus for the repair and alteration of the Miami post office and courthouse and received approval to proceed with a temporary renovation project that will serve the court until a new annex is completed. A panel of judges and administrators from the Administrative Office reviewed the organizational structure of the Federal judiciary and outlined how decisions are made regarding courtroom space and size. They also discussed a budget request for $125 million for space and facilities for fiscal year 1980, cooperation with GSA, and contracts for protective services. Committee members questioned these witnesses about underused courtrooms, the effects of the Omnibus Judgeship Act, various uses for courtrooms, cost trends, courtroom sizes, relations with GSA, and future requests for appropriations. Photographs of the Miami courthouse and a chart showing courtroom construction and alterations affected by design guidelines passed in 1972 were submitted for the record. A GSA booklet summarizing projects that should be undertaken to supply housing facilities for judgeships created by the Omnibus Judgeship Act and a chart illustrating the costs of these efforts are provided.