About the Administrative Office of the United States Courts

Created by an Act of Congress in 1939, the Administrative Office of the U.S.
Courts supports the work of the judicial branch. Its director, who serves as the chief administrative officer for the federal courts, is appointed by the Chief Justice of the United States in consultation with the Judicial Conference of the United States.

The Administrative Office provides staff support and counsel to the judiciary’s policy-making body, the Judicial Conference of the United States, and its committees. It monitors and assesses judiciary operations and emerging issues, makes recommendations for new policies and programs, and implements and promotes the Judicial Conference’s policies.

The Administrative Office develops programs, systems and methods to support and improve judicial administration. It provides a broad array of administrative, legal, technical, communications, and other services that support the operation of the federal appellate, district, and bankruptcy courts, and the defender services and probation and pretrial services programs. Among its many functions, the Administrative Office develops and administers the judiciary’s budget; audits court financial records; manages the judiciary’s payroll and human resources programs; collects and analyzes statistics to report on the business of the courts; manages the judiciary’s automation and information technology programs; conducts studies and reviews of programs and operations; develops new business methods for the courts; provides training and technical assistance; issues manuals, directives, rules, and other publications; fosters and coordinates communications with the legislative and executive branches; and provides public information.

The Administrative Office’s director has delegated to the individual courts many of his statutory administrative authorities. As a result, each court can plan, organize and manage its business activities and expenditures, consistent with policies and spending limits, to meet its particular needs. This decentralization of administrative authority benefits both the courts
and the taxpayers because it reduces bureaucracy and encourages innovation and economy.

来源：考研论坛