In event of shutdown, federal courts will stay open at least 10 business days
Updated: If a congressional budget standoff forces a government shutdown Oct. 1, the federal judiciary will stay open for at least 10 days, according to an Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts press release.
If the government were still to be shut down on Oct. 15, then “the judiciary will reassess its situation and provide further guidance,” according to the press release.
According to a SCOTUSblog post from earlier this week, there are no known plans for the U.S. Supreme Court to suspend operations in the event of a shutdown. When the court opens its term Oct. 7, it “fully expects” lawyers from the Solicitor General’s office to show up as scheduled for the two-week public session that follows, the blog says. How Appealing notes the story.
The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts sent out a memo (PDF) earlier this week stating that federal courts could use reserve funds to run for 10 business days. After that, courts would continue to operate essential functions, according to The BLT: The Blog of Legal Times.
Justice Department employees, meanwhile, are being told that some employees would be furloughed, the BLT says.
