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News Announcements

Check this page, or the News and Announcements box on the homepage, for the latest official news and announcements released by the court. You can also access archived news and announcements from this page.

Passing of the Honorable J. Spencer Letts

PRESS RELEASE: November 14, 2014 Chief Judge George H. King announced that Senior District Judge J. Spencer Letts passed away on Monday, November 10, 2014. Judge Letts was born on December 19, 1934 in St. Louis, Missouri.

Andre Birotte, Jr. Sworn in as United States District Judge

ANDRÉ BIROTTE JR.SWORN IN AS UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGEFOR THE CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

Kenly Kiya Kato Selected As United States Magistrate Judge For Central District Of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA PRESS RELEASE Release Date: July 1, 2014  

Passing of The Honorable Alicemarie Huber Stotler

PRESS RELEASE Release Date: June 10, 2014

Louise A. LaMothe Selected as United States Magistrate Judge for the Central District of California

The United States District Court for the Central District of California announces the selection of Louise A. LaMothe as United States Magistrate Judge. Judge LaMothe, who was sworn in on January 10, will sit in Santa Barbara in the Court’s Western…

Order of the Chief Judge re End of Shutdown

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA   IN THE MATTER OF RESUMPTION OF REGULAR COURT OPERATIONS AND LEAVE AND ATTENDANCE POLICIES ORDER OF THE CHIEF JUDGE ​ NO. 13-115 (Rescinds Order of the Chief Judge…

Order of the Chief Judge re Government Shutdown

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA IN RE:   OPERATING THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA IN THE  ABSENCE OF AN APPROPRIATION  OR CONTINUING…

Alka Sagar and Douglas F. McCormick Selected as United States Magistrate Judges for Central District of California

The United States District Court for the Central District of California announces the selection of Alka Sagar and Douglas F. McCormick as United States Magistrate Judges.  Judge Sagar, who became the first Indian-American female federal judge…

Cancellation of Remaining Reduced Service Days

Due to the successful implementation of extreme conservation efforts in expenditures, the United States District Court, Central District of California, has cancelled the remaining Reduced Service Days on which staff would have been furloughed and…

Senate Confirms Superior Court Judge Beverly Reid O'Connell as U.S. District Judge for Central District of California

On April 15, 2013, the United States Senate confirmed President Barack Obama’s nomination of Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Beverly Reid O’Connell to serve as a United States district judge for the United States District Court for the…

Next Reduced Service Day: Friday, August 16

In order to adjust to the sequester cuts in the Court’s budget, the United States District Court, Central District of California, will furlough staff and reduce Court services on specific Fridays between April 26 through the end of August 2013 in…

District Judge Virginia A. Phillips Swears In Congressman Mark Takano at In-District Ceremony

On February 20, District Judge Virginia A. Phillips swore in Congressman Mark Takano and his staff at a ceremony held at the Cesar Chavez Community Center in Riverside.  Although Congressman Takano was officially sworn in as a member of the…

District Court Helps Returning Veterans Re-Enter Civilian Workforce

Transitioning back to civilian life can pose many challenges for our returning veterans.  Suddenly faced with reentering the civilian workforce in a recovering economy, the biggest challenge for many will be to find employment in a very tight…

How the Bar Can Help the Clerk's Office

As a federal institution funded by taxpayers, the United States District Court for the Central District of California is committed to using public resources efficiently and effectively. To this end, we request the assistance and support of the…

Changes to CM/ECF Effective February 19, 2013

The Central District of California was upgraded to CM/ECF Version 5 on February 19, 2013.  One of the new features requires users to create more secure passwords.  After logging in with your current password, a pop-up message will instruct…

Senior District Judge A. Howard Matz to Retire on April 1, 2013

Senior District Judge A. Howard Matz has announced that he will retire from the bench of the United States District Court for the Central District of California effective April 1, 2013, after serving on the Court for nearly 15 years.  Judge…

Part-time Magistrate Judge Rita C. Federman Appointed to San Luis Obispo County Superior Court

Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. has appointed part-time United States Magistrate Judge Rita C. Federman to a judgeship on the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court.  For more details, please see the press release issued by Governor Brown's office.

Senate Confirms Magistrate Judge Fernando M. Olguin as U.S. District Judge for Central District of California

On December 17, 2012, by voice vote, the United States Senate confirmed President Barack Obama’s nomination of Magistrate Judge Fernando M. Olguin to serve as a federal district judge for the United States District Court for the Central District of…

Senate Confirms Jesus G. Bernal as U.S. District Judge for Central District of California

On December 11, 2012, the United States Senate confirmed President Barack Obama’s nomination of Jesus G. Bernal to serve as a federal district judge for the United States District Court for the Central District of California.  Bernal, who was…

Rescheduling of Hearing in USA v. Youssef from November 9 at 2:00 p.m. to November 7 at 1:30 p.m. - UPDATE

The hearing in USA v. Youssef, 09-cr-00617-CAS, that was previously scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on November 9, 2012, has been rescheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 7, 2012.  A limited number of seats will be available in Courtroom 890 of…