Chapter 3 - the Judicial System 9.16.24

Chapter 3: The Judicial System

Overview of the Judicial System

• United States Court Structure:

  • State Courts:

    • Trial Court

    • Court of Appeal

    • State Supreme Court

  • Federal Courts:

    • District Court

    • Courts of Appeal

    • U.S. Supreme Court

Types of Courts

Trial Courts

• Function as the starting point for cases.

• Key Characteristics:

  • Jurors hear cases and decide on issues of fact.

  • A single judge presides over the case.

Appellate Courts

• Focus on reviewing actions and decisions made by trial courts.

• Key Features:

  • Do not retry facts; rely on decisions made in lower courts.

  • Typically feature a panel of judges who hear cases.

Judicial Review and Decision-Making

How Courts Make Decisions

• Judicial Review Process:

  • Determine if an error was made in the trial court.

  • Review transcripts and all evidence.

  • Parties submit written briefs summarizing evidence and issues.

• Oral Arguments:

  • May be presented before a panel of judges.

  • U.S. Supreme Court involves nine judges, while other appellate courts usually have three.

Actions of Reviewing Courts

• Possible Actions Include:

  • Affirm: No reversible error; decision stands.

  • Reverse: Reversible error found; decision reversed.

  • Remand: Error requires further proceedings.

  • Modify: Change ruling of lower court.

Stare Decisis and Precedent

• Definition:

  • Doctrine that courts follow previous decisions for consistency.

• Impact on Decision-Making:

  • Influenced by the court's jurisdiction and previous cases.

  • More than just identifying similar cases.

• Exceptions:

  • When cases are factually distinguishable or involve technological changes.

Roles in the Judicial System

Key Participants

Plaintiffs

• Initiate lawsuits; known as petitioners in some contexts.

Defendants

• Alleged violators of rights claimed by the plaintiff.

Lawyers

• Act as advocates for clients with a fiduciary responsibility.

• Maintain confidentiality but must disclose intentions of future crimes.

Judges

• Control judicial proceedings; can be elected or appointed.

  • Types:

    • Trial Judge: Presides over trials.

    • Appellate Judge: Hears appeals from trial courts.

Name Changes in Appeals

• Appellant or Petitioner: The party appealing a lower court’s decision.

• Appellee or Respondent: The winning party in the lower court.

Jurisdiction

• Definition: Authority of a court to hear a case.

• Types:

  • Subject Matter Jurisdiction: Authority over the subject matter of the case.

  • In Personam Jurisdiction: Authority over the parties involved in the case.

The Federal Court System

Structure

• Components:

  • U.S. Supreme Court

  • U.S. Courts of Appeals (12 circuits plus Federal Circuit)

  • U.S. District Courts (94 judicial districts)

• Types of Courts:

  • General trial courts for federal cases.

  • Specialized courts for specific matters, such as tax or bankruptcy.

Federal Courts Overview

Federal District Courts

• General trial court; jurisdiction issues include:

  • Federal questions

  • Diversity of citizenship (over $75,000)

Court of Appeals

• Review appeals from Federal District Courts.

• Usually a panel of three judges.

U.S. Supreme Court

• Decides to review cases.

• Writs of certiorari issued upon agreement of four justices.

Opinions in Federal Courts

• Reporting:

  • Opinions published in Federal Supplement and other courts have their distinct citation styles.

State Court Systems

Structure of State Courts

• Components:

  • State Supreme Courts

  • Courts of Appeals

  • General Trial Courts (usually called superior, circuit, district, or county courts)

Specialized Courts

• Lesser courts (e.g., small claims, traffic, probate) handle more specific issues.

Venue Considerations

• Definition: Refers to the location of a court within a jurisdiction.

• Can be changed for criminal cases if excessive media coverage occurs; civil venue often linked to the defendant's residence or where the action occurred.

Personal Jurisdiction

• Definition: Court’s ability to exercise authority over parties or their property.

• Fairness is a core concept, requiring statutory and constitutional authorization.

In Personam Jurisdiction

• Can be established through property ownership, voluntary agreement, or presence in the state.

• Minimum Contacts: A standard for determining jurisdiction based on interaction with the state.

International and Other Jurisdictions

International Court of Justice (ICJ)

• Part of the U.N.; jurisdiction requires consent of involved parties.

  • Reports can be found in international law publications.

Judicial Conflicts

• Different court systems across regions can lead to varying outcomes in similar cases (e.g., tort recovery).