American Courts

by Meador, Daniel John

• ISBN13: 9780314251336
• ISBN10: 0314251332
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-12-01
• Publisher: West Academic

Summary

Designed to introduce students to the key features of the court system and help them comprehend the inherent complexities, American Courts presents a succinct, straightforward description of the complicated American judicial scene. The book sketches in understandable terms many of the complications stemming from the coexistence of multiple court systems applying various bodies of law. It describes judicial personnel, with special attention to judges and the concept of an independent judiciary, and the role of lawyers, underscoring the significance of an independent bar. Revised in response to reader comments, the new edition reflects the recent creation of new courts, as well as the increase in the volume of litigation and the number of judges. It also includes tables showing the courts in the 50 states with the number and terms of office of their judges, federal courts and the number of judges on each, and various state judicial structures.

Table of Contents

Preface to Second Edition	iii
Preface to First Edition	v
Introductory Overview	1	(8)
The State Courts	9	(11)
Trial Courts	9	(3)
Appellate Courts	12	(4)
The Business of the State Courts	16	(4)
The Federal Courts	20	(14)
District Courts	20	(1)
Courts of Appeals	21	(3)
Supreme Court	24	(2)
Other Federal Courts	26	(2)
The Business of the Federal Courts	28	(3)
Federal and State Courts Compared	31	(3)
Complicating Circumstances	34	(15)
Multiple Sovereignties: State-Federal and Multi-State	34	(6)
Coexisting State and Federal Trial Courts	40	(6)
Complex Litigation	46	(3)
Dramatis Personae	49	(22)
Judges	49	(7)
Law Clerks and Staff Attorneys	56	(3)
Other Judicial Adjuncts	59	(2)
Administrative and Clerical Staffs	61	(2)
Supporting Organizations	63	(2)
Lawyers	65	(6)
Trends and Directions	71
Appendices
A. Illustrative State Judicial Structures	79	(6)
B. The Courts of the Fifty States	85
C. The Federal Courts	92	(5)
D. Article III of the United States Constitution	97	(2)
E. Suggested Readings and Sources	99