Judicial Blog Post

Chris Kemp

4/22/16

In Federal Courts, the Civil Cases Pile Up

The story begins by discussing Ronald Porters dilemma in relation to employment discrimination and the Navy eliminating his job.  The article proceeds to discuss how the civil cases are really beginning to pile up leading to long trail delays.  In the area of California in which Mr. Porter filled his suit is so backed up that the number of cases filed per judge is nearing two times the national average.  The article then discuss’ the implications of the 16^th and 17^th Amendment and how everyone has the right to a jury and a speedy trail.  But due to the large quantity of cases many people aren’t able to get a speedy trail leading to many issues.  An excerpt from the article read, “Over the years I’ve received several letters from people indicating, ‘Even if I win this case now, my business has failed because of the delay. How is this justice?’ ” Said Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill in Fresno, Calif., who sits in the Eastern District. “And the simple answer, which I cannot give them, is this: It is not justice. We know it.”  This clearly presents the problems that stem from the piling up of civil cases.  The article then contains a “Justice Delayed” graph.  The article then discuss’ how California’s Eastern district is lacking in judges and growing in the number of federal prisoners.  Considering the process of moving or creating a new judgeship is rather difficult it is becoming challenging to keep up with the number of trails associated with the rising number of federal prisoners.  The article comes to a conclusion by talking more about Mr. Porter’s situation and the challenges associated with the civil cases pile up and the lack of staff. 

Considering we are currently discussing the various affects and aspects of the judicial branch an article about the federal courts fits right in.  We have had numerous discussions about the implications, aspects and jurisdictions of the federal courts in class.  This article strays off of our normal discussion about what type of cases the courts handle, how they act, their jurisdiction, etc. and discuss’ the issue revolving around low staff to case ratio’s.  We have learned about the different courts in class such as the Federal courts, Legislative Courts, Appellate Courts, Bankruptcy Courts and Supreme Courts.  This article focuses primary on an issue that is currently plaguing the Federal Courts.  Our discussions in class concerning the Federal Courts fits right in with the article “In Federal Courts, the Civil Cases Pile Up.”

http://www.wsj.com/articles/in-federal-courts-civil-cases-pile-up-1428343746