ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES
COURTS - Many support functions for the federal
court system are performed by the Administrative Office
of the United States Courts (AO). The AO was created
in 1939 by Congress as an administrative body for
the courts that functions independently of the executive
branch. The courts formerly had received such services
from the Department of Justice.
The AO is directed and supervised by the Judicial
Conference. In that capacity, the AO prepares and
submits the budget and legislative agenda for the
courts to the Judicial Conference for transmittal
to Congress. The AO monitors legislation that affects
federal court operations and personnel, and also provides
administrative assistance to the court of appeals,
district, bankruptcy, and magistrate judges, clerks
of court, pretrial services officers, probation officers,
court reporters, public defenders, and other court
personnel. The AO performs audits (financial examinations
of court accounts); manages funds for the operation
of the courts; compiles and publishes statistics on
the volume and distribution of the business in the
courts; and recommends plans and strategies to efficiently
manage court business.
To support the Judicial Conference of the United
States, the AO supplies a professional secretariat,
legal and statistical services, and conducts studies
of court procedures. As the secretary to the Conference,
the AO director furnishes the professional support
to its committees. The AO also maintains liaison with
various groups interested in court operations, including
committees of Congress, executive branch agencies,
state courts, and the public.
The director of the AO is appointed by the Chief
Justice after consultation with the Judicial Conference.
The agency's headquarters are located in Washington,
D.C.
