Govertnment
1. The nature of the US Judicial system is: * US judicial system is an adversary system * It is a system in which opposing parties bring their conflict before an impartial judge 2. 2 basic types of cases: Criminal and Civil
Criminal case * where the govt charge a person with a violation of a criminal law (Ex. killed someone/ robs a bank.) * Criminal law are laws that describe punishment for crimes against society * Punishment for violation of criminal law may be a fine or imprisonment or both
Civil
* There is no charge that a crime has been committed. (Ex. Car accident—run a red light & crashes other car.) * A civil case involve a dispute between two or more parties (in a civil court) 3. What does the Federal Court deal with? * Federal courts deal with federal legal matters and are regulated by the US Constitution & laws passed by Congress. (only one federal court system)
4. What does the state courts deal with? * State courts deal with state legal matters and are regulated by the various state Constitutions & state statutes. (Laws passed by state legislature). (50 state courts- more cases than the federal courts)
5. Participants in the judicial system * Attorneys * Interest groups: who seek to use the courts to advance their issues sometimes seek out litigants whose cases appear to be strong. * In criminal cases: Prosecutor & criminal defendant * In civil cases: (litigants): Plaintiff & defendant
6. Who are the parties in the 2 basic kind of cases: * Criminal case: In criminal cases the Govt. charges a person with the violation of a criminal law. * Prosecutor (represent the Govt.) & criminal defendant (the person charged with the crime). * Civil case: A civil case involves a non-criminal dispute between two or more parties. * Plaintiff (is the party that files suit) & defendant (is the party sued).
7. What are cases or controversies? * Federal judge:
Criminal case * where the govt charge a person with a violation of a criminal law (Ex. killed someone/ robs a bank.) * Criminal law are laws that describe punishment for crimes against society * Punishment for violation of criminal law may be a fine or imprisonment or both
Civil
* There is no charge that a crime has been committed. (Ex. Car accident—run a red light & crashes other car.) * A civil case involve a dispute between two or more parties (in a civil court) 3. What does the Federal Court deal with? * Federal courts deal with federal legal matters and are regulated by the US Constitution & laws passed by Congress. (only one federal court system)
4. What does the state courts deal with? * State courts deal with state legal matters and are regulated by the various state Constitutions & state statutes. (Laws passed by state legislature). (50 state courts- more cases than the federal courts)
5. Participants in the judicial system * Attorneys * Interest groups: who seek to use the courts to advance their issues sometimes seek out litigants whose cases appear to be strong. * In criminal cases: Prosecutor & criminal defendant * In civil cases: (litigants): Plaintiff & defendant
6. Who are the parties in the 2 basic kind of cases: * Criminal case: In criminal cases the Govt. charges a person with the violation of a criminal law. * Prosecutor (represent the Govt.) & criminal defendant (the person charged with the crime). * Civil case: A civil case involves a non-criminal dispute between two or more parties. * Plaintiff (is the party that files suit) & defendant (is the party sued).
7. What are cases or controversies? * Federal judge: