The trial of political activists accused of inciting riots during the Democratic National Convention of 1968 attracted national attention and exposed the depths of political and cultural divisions at a crucial moment in the nation's history. The trial of the "Chicago Seven" became a defining event in public debates about the Vietnam War, the student protest movement, and the fairness of the federal judicial process. The defendants and their lawyers used the courtroom as a platform for a broad critique of American society and an almost anarchic challenge to the legitimacy of governmental...

Throughout its history, the chief source of funding for the federal judiciary of the United States has been money authorized by Congress to be expended out of the general funds of the federal treasury. The federal judiciary has also received support from other sources, such as litigant fees and the fines, forfeitures, and penalties collected by the courts in the course of government litigation. This brief introductory essay surveys the changing procedures for determining the level of congressional appropriations and for disbursing appropriated funds throughout the federal judicial system. The...

This teaching module was developed by the Federal Judicial Center to support judges and court staff who want to speak to various groups about the history of an independent federal judiciary. It focuses on the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and the establishment of the judicial branch of government. Other modules in this series examine the creation of the federal judicial system and debates on judicial independence. Each module includes four components: background discussion to serve as talking points; a Powerpoint presentation that can be downloaded to provide a visual guide to the...