The Supreme Court’s workload fell by nearly 8 percent in the term that just ended, according to a year-end report from Chief Justice John Roberts.
His report said the total number of cases fell from 7,033 in the 2014 term to 6,475 in the 2015 term that ended in October.
Roberts’ year-end report didn’t make any mention of the Supreme Court vacancy created by Justice Antonin Scalia’s death or Republicans’ blockade of Merrick Garland’s nomination to fill the seat. Instead, he focused on federal district judges who are “generally not well known” but “deserve tremendous respect.”
“[E]ach American generation has produced selfless, patriotic, and brave individuals who have stepped forward to serve their country with distinction as federal district judges,” Roberts wrote. “Our Nation is justly proud of our current district judges and grateful for their service.”
The chief justice noted that the typical federal judge has more than 500 cases on their docket and said the task demands that federal district judges serve as a jack of all trades.
“You might be asking at this point why any lawyer would want a job that requires long hours, exacting skill, and intense devotion — while promising high stress, solitary confinement, and guaranteed criticism,” Roberts wrote. “The answer lies in the rewards of public service. District judges make a difference every day, and leave a lasting legacy, by making our society more fair and just.”
Eighty-six vacancies already exist on the federal district courts that Roberts wrote about, with more openings expected to materialize as President-elect Trump takes office, according to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. The district court vacancies and courts of appeals vacancies provide Trump an opportunity to immediately tilt the judiciary toward a more conservative branch of government.
