Federal Judges Association decries effects of sequestration

The Federal Judges Association (FJA), a volunteer organization of about 1,000 members focused on the independence of the judiciary, has named Judge Margaret McKeown of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit as its new president, reported The National Law Journal.

The FJA recently warned that sequestration—mandated U.S. government budget cuts that became effective on March 1—has put the federal courts at risk, with courtroom operations, public information, public defenders and probation services staff affected.

"The FJA recognizes that these are difficult times for the judiciary," McKeown said in a prepared statement. "Budget cuts, confirmation delays and judges leaving the bench for financial reasons—all of these strain our judicial system."

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