Federal judges and the journalists who cover them share an important goal: They want the public to receive accurate and understandable information about the federal courts and their work.

The media perform an important and constitutionally protected role by informing and educating the public. The media also serve a time-honored role as the public’s watchdog over government institutions, including the courts. Likewise, courts uphold many of the legal protections that enable journalists to perform their jobs. A Journalist’s Guide to the Federal Courts is intended to assist reporters who cover appellate, district, and bankruptcy courts – the cases, the people, and the process. It also offers basic information for journalists writing about the federal court system as a whole. The guide does not discuss the Supreme Court of the United States. Go to the Supreme Court website for helpful resources.

The Guide is intended to help working reporters perform their professional duties; it is not a comprehensive overview of the federal courts. Find additional online resources about the federal Judiciary.

The Guide does not constitute a statement of Judicial Conference policy and is not binding on any federal court or its judges or employees. Individual courts have varied approaches to media relations. Journalists should familiarize themselves with the customs, practices, and rules of the courts they cover.

In addition to this Guide, you may consult uscourts.gov and the Office of Public Affairs at the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, (202) 502-2600. Search for specific court location and website information using the Court Locator.

Use the links below or on the right-hand sidebar to access specific sections of the Guide.

Media Access in Brief

Recording and Broadcasting

Electronic Devices

Judges

Clerk of Court’s Office

Lawyers

Jurors

Other District Court Personnel

Online Access

Older Documents

User Fees

Sealed Documents and Closed Hearings

Investigations and Related Documents

Grand Juries and Indictments

Felony Preliminary Proceedings

Criminal Complaints and Informations

Pretrial Motions

Guilty Pleas

The Jury

Opening Statements

Witnesses

Exhibits, Transcripts, and Courtroom Audio

Motion to Acquit

Closing Arguments

Jury Instructions, Deliberations, and the Verdict

Post-Verdict Interviews

Non-Capital Sentencing

Death Penalty Sentencing

Filing the Complaint

The Plaintiff’s Claim

The Defendant’s Answer

Pretrial Proceedings

Ending a Case Without a Trial

Summary Judgment

Settlements

Civil Trials

Appellate Court Sources and Resources

The Appeals Process

Appeals Raising Constitutional Issues

Death Penalty Appeals

Three-Judge Panels

Accessing Bankruptcy Records

Bankruptcy Process

Bankruptcy Appeals

Federal Judges

Federal Court Organization

Judicial Administration

Circuit Judicial Councils

Chief Judges

Judicial Disciplinary Process

Criminal Justice Act Defense System (Court-Appointed Counsel)

Who Provides Court-Appointed Counsel

How CJA Cases Are Funded

The CJA and Death-Penalty Cases

Probation and Pretrial Services Officers

Central Violations Bureau