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Function of Federal Courts

Federal courts interpret laws established by the legislative branch, which involves determining how the law applies to various circumstances rather than merely reading the law as written.

Types of Remedies

Legal remedies involve monetary compensation, while equitable remedies focus on behavior regulation to ensure fairness among parties.

Common Law vs. Code Law

Common law evolves through judicial opinions (stare decisis), while code law applies rules directly with no interpretation. Notably, Louisiana follows the Napoleonic code, while other states primarily use common law.

Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction is defined by law and determines which cases a court can hear. The court structure typically follows a tiered system, starting with county courts (lowest), followed by circuit courts, district courts of appeal, and ultimately the Supreme Court.

Types of Crimes

  • Mala in se: inherently wrong, such as murder and theft.

  • Nonprohibitive Crimes: actions not morally wrong, regulated by law (e.g., tax evasion).

Court Structure

The state court system has multiple layers:

  1. County Courts (trial level for low-level cases)

  2. Circuit Courts (original and appellate jurisdiction)

  3. District Courts of Appeal (generally appellate jurisdiction)

  4. State Supreme Courts (final authority, resolves conflicts among districts)

In federal courts, the structure includes:

  1. District Courts (trial jurisdictions)

  2. Circuit Courts of Appeal (appellate review)

  3. U.S. Supreme Court (primarily appellate jurisdiction).

Supreme Court Jurisdiction

The U.S. Supreme Court resolves conflicts among circuit courts and reviews death penalty cases. It largely operates on petitions for writs of certiorari, with rare acceptance (~80-100 cases per year).

Judicial Philosophy

Justices adhere to either:

  • Originalism: interprets the Constitution as it was understood when created, focusing on historical context.

  • Activism: adopts a broader interpretation that adapts the Constitution to contemporary societal values.

Current Justices

  • Liberal Justices: Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Ketanji Brown Jackson.

  • Conservative Justices: Samuel Alito, John Roberts, Amy Coney Barrett, Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh.

The balance of the Court has shifted towards a conservative majority, profoundly influencing legal interpretation and outcomes.