ch. 3 Comprehensive Study Notes on Law and Government Interdependence in the U.S.

In the United States, law and government operate interdependently.
The Constitution:
- Establishes the basic framework of government.
- Imposes limitations on governmental powers.
Various branches of government:
- Involved in making, enforcing, and interpreting laws.
Current Sources of Law:
- Much of the law originates from Congress and state legislatures.
- Courts play a crucial role in interpreting legislation and applying previous case laws.
Case Study: Harry and Kay Robinson
- Questioning jurisdiction regarding the filing of their lawsuit:
- In which court should the Robinsons file their action?
- Can Oklahoma courts hear and enforce the ruling against all defendants?
- Which jurisdictional law should the court apply?
- Case Example: Robinson v. Audi
- Background:
  - Purchased new Audi car from Seaway Volkswagen, Inc. in Massena, New York (1976), moved to Arizona.
  - Accident in Oklahoma: another vehicle struck their Audi, resulting in a fire that burned Kay Robinson and her children.
  - Filed products-liability case in District Court for Creek County, Oklahoma, against multiple defendants:
  - Audi NSU Auto Union Aktiengesellschaft
  - Volkswagen of America, Inc.
  - World-Wide Volkswagen Corp.
  - Seaway.
- Legal Discussion:
  - Consideration on whether to bring action in state vs. federal court.
  - Determining personal jurisdiction over the defendants.

There are 52 court systems in the U.S.: 50 states + D.C. + federal system.
Interactions Between Courts:
- State and local courts must honor federal law and other states’ laws.
- Under supremacy clause, state laws conflicting with federal laws must defer to federal law.
- Federal statutes can often be tried in state courts.
- Full faith and credit clause mandates state-to-state respect for final judgments.
- State courts consider laws from other states in conflicts scenarios.
Federal Court Concerns with State Law:
- Federal courts can hear cases that involve state law claims combined with federal claims.
- This is termed “pendent jurisdiction.”
- Supreme Court may engage in appeals from state supreme courts if significant federal law questions arise.
Diversity Jurisdiction:
- Federal courts can hear cases where parties are citizens of different states with claims exceeding $75,000.
- Almost one-third of federal lawsuits in 2009 were based on diversity cases.
- Defense attorneys may request removal to federal court to avoid home-court disadvantages.
- Federal court tends to be more efficient with quicker case resolutions.

Most civil lawsuits are filed in state courts.
Trial and Appeal Functions:
- Courts with original jurisdiction determine case facts and apply law.
- Appellate courts accept trial facts but review lower courts' legal applications.

Limited Jurisdiction Courts:
- Handle minor crimes and civil cases under fixed monetary amounts (usually no more than $10,000).
- Small claims courts handle claims between $500 and $5,000.
General Jurisdiction Courts:
- Hear all other civil and criminal cases not covered by limited jurisdiction.
- Comprised of a jury for fact-finding.
Appellate Courts:
- Established in 40 states.
- No re-trial of evidence; focus on procedural correctness and law application.
- Choices include affirming, modifying, reversing, or remanding lower courts’ decisions.
State Supreme Courts:
- Generally the highest court in a state, often composed of 5-9 justices.
- Rulings typically final, with limited cases eligible for appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Composed of the Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices.
Selectively controls its docket; few cases out of 7,000+ petitions heard per year.

Jurisdiction: The power of a court to hear a case, derived from Latin juris (law) + diction (to speak).
Subject Matter Jurisdiction: The authority of a court to hear specific types of cases.
Personal Jurisdiction: Court’s authority over the parties involved in the litigation.

Constitutional Guidance:
- Article III of the Constitution lays out the jurisdiction between state and federal courts.
- Federal courts mainly deal with:
- Federal law violations
- Admiralty cases
- Controversies involving the U.S. as a party
- Diversity jurisdiction cases.

In cases where state and federal laws apply:
- Federal courts can handle cases based purely on state law under diversity jurisdiction if parties are from different states and the amount exceeds $75,000.

A court must have both subject-matter jurisdiction and personal jurisdiction over at least one defendant.
State courts have broad jurisdiction over cases unless exclusively required to be heard in federal courts.
Federal courts handle federal law cases or state law cases involving diversity jurisdiction (and advisers on a dollar amount).

Not a federal question emerged nor did the U.S. appear as a party, the likelihood of diversity jurisdiction depends on established residency and included parties.
Conflict of Law Principles:
- Basic rule—states apply jurisdiction based on where the injury occurred or where the parties are primarily engaged.

Legal Procedure Fundamentals:
- Civil litigation begins with a complaint and summons.
- Important procedural rules govern serving defendants and ensuring due process rights.
- Personal jurisdiction over out-of-state defendants is assessed based on minimum contacts with the forum state.

Due Process: mandates fairness in judicial proceedings.
Minimum Contacts: criteria to establish personal jurisdiction—requires that defendants have sufficient connection to the state.

Understanding the dual nature of states’ and federal roles in jurisdiction and legal procedural norms is critical for navigating the legal landscape. Recognizing the nuanced interplay between state and federal courts helps to clarify the appropriate jurisdiction for any civil action that parties may seek.