In-Depth Notes on Federal Courts and Legal Systems

Overview of Legal Systems

  • Understanding the two main types of law: Criminal Law and Civil Law.

Events

  • ACLU/Democracy Forward: They brought a deportation case to the US District Court challenging the Alien Enemies Act.
  • Sen. Bernie Sanders & Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on a nationwide "Fighting Oligarchy" tour emphasizing progressive policies and class struggle.

The Federal Courts

  • Overview of different court types, jurisdiction, and important landmark cases.

Criminal Law

  • Government is always the plaintiff in criminal cases.
  • Regulates conduct, defines crimes (range from traffic offenses to murder), and specifies punishments.
  • Defendants found guilty may face fines or jail time.
  • A guilty verdict results in conviction.
    • Plaintiff: the one bringing charges.
    • Defendant: the one accused.

Civil Law

  • Covers disputes among individuals, groups, corporations, and private entities, or with the government.
  • Losers in civil cases cannot face jail time but might be required to pay damages.
  • Common areas include contracts, torts, and administrative conflicts.

Tort Law

  • Involves harmful behaviors such as:
    • Defamation: false statements harming a person's reputation.
    • Battery: unlawful physical contact.
    • Trespassing: unauthorized entry onto another's property.
    • False detention: illegally holding someone.

Precedent and Stare Decisis

  • Precedent: A principle from a prior case used to guide decisions in the present case.
  • Stare Decisis: Latin for "let the decision stand"; honors previous legal decisions.

The Plea Bargain

  • A guilty plea exchanged for a lesser charge.
  • Common way to resolve most criminal cases without trial.
  • Important: a plea bargain is not an admission of guilt.

Federal Court Jurisdiction

  • Defines the court's power based on geographic area or issues involved (like patents and international trade).
  • Original Jurisdiction: The authority to initially consider a case.

Types of Courts

Trial Court

  • The first court to hear a case; over 97% of cases are in state courts.
  • If a defendant is found guilty, they may appeal.

Appellate Court

  • Also known as courts of appeals.
  • The appellant must show a legal error from the trial court.
  • These courts do not hear new evidence or witnesses.

Federal Courts: Cases Heard

  • Include federal law violations, treaties, constitutional issues, or cases involving the U.S. government.
  • These courts hear civil cases involving citizens from different states with amounts exceeding $75,000.

The Federal Courts: Trial Courts

  • There are 94 federal district courts with varying judicial loads.

Appellate Courts

  • Review 20% of lower-court cases, with 11 regional appeals courts and 1 Federal Circuit.
  • Their decisions, unless reviewed by the Supreme Court, are final.

U.S. Supreme Court

  • The highest court; has the final say on matters of law.
  • Composed of nine justices with equal authority.

Judicial Review

  • Power to declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional, rooted in Marbury v. Madison (1803), which established judicial review.
  • State laws conflicting with the Constitution may also be overturned.

Supreme Court's Role

  • Original Jurisdiction in limited cases (e.g., disputes between states).
  • Most cases heard through writ of certiorari, requiring agreement from 4 of 9 justices.

Legal Actors

  • Solicitor General: Oversees government cases.
  • Supreme Court Clerks: Assist in determining precedence and case choices.
  • Interest Groups: Often file amicus briefs to influence decisions.

Supreme Court Procedures

  • Involves submission of briefs outlining legal arguments, followed by oral arguments from each party.
  • Justices meet after to vote on the case, with opinions drafted by members of the majority.

Reasons for Decisions

  • Decisions may hinge upon law, precedent, societal values, institutional interests, and judicial philosophies.