Court Systems, Legal Procedures, and Communication Skills in Law Latest updated version with expert curated questions and answers (GUARANTEED SUCCESS)

Trial Courts

Include Municipal Court, Special Civil Court, and Superior Court.

Municipal Court

Lowest court — handles minor cases. Judges often part-time.

Judge

Manager of the court who decides guilty or innocent, gives penalties, and ensures justice & court order.

Prosecutor

Tries to prove you're guilty.

Public Defender

Lawyer for people who cannot afford one; must qualify.

Staff

Runs daily operations of the court.

Motor Vehicle Violations

Carry points; examples include Unsafe Driving.

Unsafe Driving

N.J.S.A. 97.2; can plead guilty twice every 5 years with no points.

Criminal (Disorderly Persons Offenses)

Examples include theft, harassment, and mutual fight (no weapons).

Penalties for Disorderly Persons Offenses

Up to $1000 fine, up to 6 months jail, and restoration fee if license suspended.

Borough Ordinances

Local rules such as property upkeep and paint color.

Plea Bargains

Defendant pleads guilty to something lower for a reduced penalty.

Non-Jury Trial

You try your case in front of the judge ONLY.

Trial de Novo

Appeals process where another judge reads the transcript only.

Civil Lawsuits Basics

π (Plaintiff) is the person who sues; Δ (Defendant) is the person being sued.

Small Claims Court

Claims up to $3,000; non-jury and takes 3-4 months.

Arbitration

3rd party decides the case; final & binding.

Mediation

3rd party tries to help both sides settle; makes recommendations but is not binding.

ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution)

Anything besides going in front of a judge or jury.

Landlord-Tenant Court

NJ court only decides possession; NY decides possession and money owed.

Superior Court

Handles cases with unlimited damages and does not handle death penalty cases.

PRO SE

You represent yourself in court.

Law Division

Handles money cases such as auto accidents, malpractice, and contracts.

Chancery Division

Focuses on fairness, not money, handling cases like boundary disputes.

Family Court

Handles divorce, alimony, child support, and equitable distribution.

General Rules of Written Communication

Social correspondence is long; business correspondence is 1 page or less.

Writing Basics

Grammar, spelling, and sentence structure are critical.

Memorandums

For internal use only; format includes To, From, Subject, Date.

Word Processing Advantages

Includes speed, storage, editing, and spell-check.

Email Etiquette

Avoid LOL, BFF, emojis, GIFs; check spelling of email address.

Parts of a Business Letter

Includes date spelled out, inside address, salutation with colon, and complimentary closing.

Postscript (P.S.)

New idea added at end.

Consultation letter

Provider examines but patient still belongs to primary provider.

Referral

Patient transferred to specialist.

Insurance letters

Doctor signs.

ZIP code

5 digits + 4 digits (street/building).

Certified mail

Green card or online tracking (kept 2 years).

#10 envelope

Letter.

#6¾ envelope

Invoice.

Confidential

Goes below return address.

Types of Communication

Verbal, Written, Nonverbal.

Communication Process

Sender encodes message, Receiver decodes message, Medium = verbal, written, nonverbal, Transactional = give and take.

Learning Styles

Visual - written material, Auditory - spoken words, Kinesthetic - hands-on.

Barriers to Communication

Physical, Psychological, Cultural/language, Jargon can confuse patients.

Active Listening

Both parties respond to each other.

Types of Questions

Open-ended: requires detail, Closed-ended: yes/no or short, Chief complaint: main reason patient is in the office.

Nonverbal Communication

Body language (kinesics), You cannot NOT communicate.

Objective vs. Subjective

Objective = measurable (HR, pulse, RR), Subjective = patient-reported (pain).

Touch & Cultural Sensitivity

Use good judgment. Handshakes not always accepted.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Cannot skip levels.

Kubler-Ross 5 Stages

Denial → anger → bargaining → depression → acceptance.

Defense Mechanisms

Examples: Repression, Rationalization, Projection, Malingering, Denial, Regression, Procrastination.

Stress

Anything causing anxiety.

Eustress

Good stress.

Distress

Bad stress.

White coat syndrome

BP increases.

REM sleep

Needed for health.

Burnout

No desire to do job again.