The American Legal System

by Melone, Albert P.; Karnes, Allan

• ISBN13: 9781891487927
• ISBN10: 1891487922
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-04-01
• Publisher: Roxbury Pub Co

Table of Contents

Dedication	iii
Acknowledgments	iv
Preface	xxi
Table of Cases	xxvi
Part I The Legal System in Perspective
Law in Perspective	3	(40)
Origins of Law	5	(3)
Schools of Jurisprudence	8	(11)
Natural Law	9	(2)
Historical School	11	(2)
Utilitarianism	13	(1)
Analytical Jurisprudence	14	(2)
Sociological Jurisprudence	16	(1)
Legal Realism	17	(1)
Critical Legal Studies	17	(2)
Branches of Law	19	(1)
Functions of Law	20	(7)
Defining Relationships	20	(1)
Allocation of Authority in Society	21	(1)
Resolution of Conflict When It Arises	22	(2)
Redefining Relations of Individuals and Groups in Society	24	(3)
The Method of the Common Law	27	(6)
Board of Regents v. Southworth	29	(4)
Reading and Briefing Court Opinions	33	(5)
Sample Brief: Board of Regents v. Southworth	36	(2)
Key Terms, Names, and Concepts	38	(1)
Discussion Questions	39	(1)
Suggested Additional Reading	39	(2)
Endnotes	41	(2)
Legitimacy and the Limits of Authority	43	(32)
Legitimacy and Legalism as Ideology	43	(11)
Bush v. Gore and Legitimacy	46	(8)
Jurisdiction and Common Law Courts	54	(2)
Specialized Royal Courts	56	(6)
Court of Common Pleas	57	(1)
Court of King's Bench	58	(1)
Exchequer of Pleas	58	(1)
Court of Chancery-Equity	59	(2)
Star Chamber Court	61	(1)
Impact of Royal Courts	61	(1)
Jurisdictional Questions	62	(2)
Compelling Court Appearances	64	(1)
Long-Arm Statutes and Minimum Contacts	65	(5)
Ben & Jerry's Homemade, Inc., v. Coronet Priscilla Ice Cream Corp	66	(4)
Key Terms, Names, and Concepts	70	(1)
Discussion Questions	70	(1)
Suggested Additional Reading	71	(1)
Endnotes	71	(4)
Court Organization and Jurisdiction in the Federal System	75	(50)
State Courts	76	(1)
Federal Courts	77	(9)
Problems of Federalism	86	(31)
National Supremacy	87	(6)
McCulloch v. Maryland	93	(6)
Tenth and Eleventh Amendments	99	(5)
National Common Law	104	(1)
Erie R.R. Co. v. Tompkins	104	(5)
Full Faith and Credit Clause	109	(1)
Travelers Indemnity Company v. Lake	110	(7)
New Judicial Federalism	117	(4)
Power and Justice	120	(1)
Key Terms, Names, and Concepts	121	(1)
Discussion Questions	122	(1)
Suggested Additional Reading	122	(1)
Endnotes	123	(2)
Judicial Interpretation and Decision-Making	125	(48)
Method of the Common Law	125	(7)
Lake v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.	128	(4)
Statutory Interpretation	132	(8)
Caminetti v. United States	135	(4)
Other Statutory Canons	139	(1)
Constitutional Interpretation	140	(12)
Interpretivism	141	(1)
Noninterpretivism	142	(1)
Consequence of the Debate	143	(1)
Saenz v. Roe	143	(9)
Empirical Theories of Decision-Making	152	(13)
Judicial Attitude Approach	153	(2)
Judicial Role Approach	155	(2)
Social Background Approach	157	(3)
Small Group and Strategic Interactions	160	(3)
Neo-institutionalism	163	(2)
Empirical Theories in Perspective	165	(1)
Key Terms, Names, and Concepts	165	(1)
Discussion Questions	166	(1)
Suggested Additional Reading	166	(2)
Endnotes	168	(5)
Part II Contrasting Legal Processes
Civil Suits for Money Damages	173	(54)
Legal Profession	174	(6)
Stratified Bar	175	(1)
Hiring a Lawyer	175	(3)
Kroff v. Larson	178	(2)
Pleadings, Answers, and Replies	180	(4)
Discovery	184	(3)
Pretrial Conference	187	(1)
Trial Phase of Litigation	188	(7)
Jury Selection	190	(3)
Opening Statements	193	(1)
Parties and the Burden of Proof	194	(1)
Rules of Evidence	195	(14)
Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc.	198	(7)
Motion for a Nonsuit	205	(1)
Defendant's Presentation	205	(1)
Plaintiff's Rebuttal and Defendant's Answer	206	(1)
Request for a Directed Verdict	206	(1)
Jury Summations	206	(1)
Judge's Instructions to the Jury	207	(1)
Jury Deliberation and Verdict	208	(1)
Remedies in Civil Suits for Money Damages	209	(7)
Nominal Damages	209	(1)
Compensatory Damages	209	(1)
Exemplary Damages	210	(1)
Liquidated Damages	210	(1)
Comparing Compensatory and Exemplary (Punitive) Damages	211	(1)
Hampton v. Dillard's Department Stores, Inc	211	(4)
Post-Trial Motions	215	(1)
Appeal Phase of Litigation	216	(3)
Res Judicata	219	(1)
Enforcing Judgments	220	(1)
Key Terms, Names, and Concepts	221	(1)
Discussion Questions	222	(1)
Suggested Additional Reading	222	(1)
Endnotes	223	(4)
Equity Processes	227	(24)
Equitable Remedies	228	(5)
Pleadings, Answers, and Replies	233	(3)
Johnson v. North American Life & Casualty Co.	233	(3)
Discovery	236	(1)
Pretrial Conferences	236	(1)
Trial Phase of Litigation	236	(8)
Equitable Maxims	237	(2)
Finke v. Woodard	239	(5)
Judicial Decrees	244	(4)
Doe v. Anderson	246	(2)
Key Terms, Names, and Concepts	248	(1)
Discussion Questions	248	(1)
Suggested Additional Reading	248	(1)
Endnotes	249	(2)
Criminal Processes	251	(54)
Values and the Criminal Justice System	252	(1)
Pleading Phase: Commencing Prosecution	253	(4)
Complaint	254	(1)
Information	254	(2)
Grand Jury Indictment	256	(1)
Arrest and Arraignment	257	(4)
Bail	260	(1)
Discovery in Criminal Cases	261	(2)
Trial Phase of Criminal Processes	263	(20)
Right to Counsel	263	(2)
Right to a Fair and Impartial Trial	265	(1)
Sheppard v. Maxwell	265	(7)
Right to a Jury Trial	272	(1)
Right to a Speedy and Public Trial	273	(1)
Privilege Against Self-Incrimination	274	(1)
Confrontation of Witnesses	274	(1)
Maryland v. Craig	275	(4)
Jury Selection	279	(1)
Case Presentation to the Jury	280	(1)
Final Arguments	281	(1)
Jury Instructions and Deliberations	281	(1)
Sentencing the Convicted	282	(1)
Appealing Convictions	283	(9)
Res Judicata Exception	284	(1)
Stone v. Powell	285	(7)
Juvenile Justice	292	(7)
Due Process Rights	293	(5)
Recent Trends in Juvenile Justice	298	(1)
Key Terms, Names, and Concepts	299	(1)
Discussion Questions	300	(1)
Suggested Additional Reading	300	(1)
Endnotes	301	(4)
Administrative Processes	305	(38)
Creating Administrative Agencies	307	(1)
Rule-Making	308	(13)
Constitutional Limitations	310	(1)
Congressional Delegation of Law-Making Power	311	(2)
Presidential Powers and Constraints	313	(3)
Flue-Cured Tobacco Cooperative Stabilization Corp. v. United States Environmental Protection Agency	316	(5)
Information and Investigation	321	(7)
In re Kohn v. Minnesota	322	(6)
Agency Hearings and Judicial Review	328	(11)
Jackson Mobilphone Co. v. Tennessee Public Service Commission	330	(9)
Key Terms, Names, and Concepts	339	(1)
Discussion Questions	340	(1)
Suggested Additional Reading	340	(1)
Endnotes	341	(2)
Alternative Dispute Resolution	343	(32)
Arbitration	345	(9)
Phases of Arbitration	347	(2)
Pick v. Discover Financial Services, Inc	349	(5)
Mediation	354	(7)
Conciliation, Facilitation, and Mediation	355	(2)
Phases of Mediation	357	(2)
Ombuds Programs	359	(1)
Regulatory Negotiation	360	(1)
Court-Centered ADR	361	(7)
Private Trials	361	(1)
Summary Jury Trials	362	(3)
Court-Annexed Arbitration	365	(1)
Minitrial	366	(2)
Trends	368	(1)
Key Terms, Names, and Concepts	368	(1)
Discussion Questions	368	(1)
Suggested Additional Reading	369	(1)
Endnotes	370	(5)
Part III Law Governing Conduct, Property, and Relations Among Individuals
Torts	375	(50)
What Is Tort Law?	376	(1)
Evolution of Modern American Tort Law	377	(1)
Intentional Torts	378	(18)
Battery	378	(1)
Cohen v. Smith	379	(2)
Assault	381	(1)
Cullison v. Medley	382	(2)
False Imprisonment	384	(1)
Taylor v. Gilmartin	385	(3)
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress	388	(1)
Blair v. LaFrance	389	(1)
Intentional Intrusions on Land (Trespass to Land)	390	(2)
Trespass to Chattel and Conversion	392	(1)
CompuServe, Inc. v. Cyber Promotions, Inc.	393	(3)
Defenses and Privileges	396	(1)
Negligence	396	(8)
The Interest Invaded	396	(1)
Negligent Conduct	397	(1)
Legal Cause of the Damage	398	(4)
The Damaged Party's Conduct	402	(2)
Product Liability	404	(6)
A New Era---The Restatement (Third) of Torts, Product Liability	410	(7)
Hudgens v. Interstate Battery	415	(2)
Tort Reform	417	(1)
Key Terms, Names, and Concepts	418	(1)
Discussion Questions	419	(1)
Suggested Additional Reading	420	(1)
Endnotes	421	(4)
Property	425	(46)
Roots of American Property Law	426	(1)
Interests in Real Property	427	(15)
Present Possessory Interests in Real Property	427	(5)
Methods of Joint or Concurrent Ownership	432	(2)
Premier Property Management, Inc. v. Chavez	434	(4)
Future Interests	438	(4)
Fixtures	442	(4)
In the Matter of: Albright	443	(3)
Personal Property	446	(3)
Finders of Property	446	(1)
Bailments, Thieves, and Innocent Third Parties	447	(2)
Digital Barbarians at the Gate: Copyrighted Property Under Siege	449	(14)
Entertainment Industry Reaction to Technology Advances	450	(3)
Federal Copyright Statutes	453	(2)
A&M Records, Inc. v. Napster, Inc.	455	(8)
Key Terms, Names, and Concepts	463	(1)
Discussion Questions	464	(1)
Suggested Additional Reading	465	(1)
Endnotes	466	(5)
Family Law	471	(46)
Marriage	472	(15)
Who May Marry?	473	(1)
Baehr v. Lewin	473	(8)
Common Law Marriage	481	(1)
In Re Estate of Wagner	481	(4)
Antenuptial (Premarital) Agreements	485	(2)
Ending a Marriage	487	(3)
Annulment	487	(1)
Divorce	487	(3)
Division of Property	490	(7)
O'Brien v. O'Brien	493	(4)
Spousal Support, Maintenance, or Alimony	497	(1)
Children	498	(5)
Dependent Children of Divorcing Parents	498	(5)
Other Issues Involving Children	503	(4)
Children Born out of Wedlock	503	(1)
Adoption	504	(1)
Science and Family Law	505	(2)
Key Terms, Names, and Concepts	507	(1)
Discussion Questions	508	(2)
Suggested Additional Reading	510	(1)
Endnotes	511	(6)
Criminal Law	517	(42)
Criminal Law Roots	518	(1)
Sources of Police Power	519	(1)
The Requirements of an Act and a State of Mind	520	(3)
Nevada v. Richard	521	(2)
Crimes Against Persons	523	(13)
Common Law Murder and Modern Variations	523	(1)
Swafford v. State	524	(7)
Rape	531	(1)
State v. Thompson	532	(3)
Battery and Assault	535	(1)
Crimes Against Property	536	(4)
Common Law Larceny	536	(1)
Robbery	537	(1)
Burglary	537	(1)
Theft	538	(1)
Receiving Stolen Property	539	(1)
Extortion or Blackmail	539	(1)
Victimless Crimes	540	(1)
Attempt Crimes	540	(4)
United States v. Hair	541	(3)
Conspiracy	544	(2)
Defenses	546	(4)
Insanity	546	(2)
Necessity and Duress	548	(1)
Entrapment	548	(1)
Infancy	549	(1)
Key Terms, Names, and Concepts	550	(1)
Discussion Questions	551	(1)
Suggested Additional Reading	552	(1)
Endnotes	553	(6)
Part IV Law Governing Conduct of Business
Contracts	559	(40)
Historical Evolution of Modern American Contract Law	560	(2)
Basic Elements of Contract Formation	562	(11)
Capacity	562	(1)
Shields v. Gross	563	(4)
Offers	567	(1)
Accepting Offers	568	(2)
Consideration	570	(1)
Whitten v. Greeley-Shaw	571	(2)
Oral and Written Contracts, and the Statute of Frauds	573	(3)
The Land Contract and One-Year Provisions	574	(2)
Acceptable Writings and Effect of Statute of Frauds Violations	576	(1)
Contract Interpretation	576	(11)
The Problem of Language and the Plain-Meaning Rule	577	(2)
Rules of Interpretation	579	(1)
The Parol Evidence Rule	580	(2)
Grove v. Charbonneau Buick-Pontiac, Inc.	582	(5)
Contract Performance, Conditions, and Breach	587	(4)
Breach	589	(2)
Key Terms, Names, and Concepts	591	(1)
Discussion Questions	592	(3)
Suggested Additional Reading	595	(1)
Endnotes	595	(4)
Government Regulation of Business	599	(54)
Historical Perspective of Governmental Regulation of Business	600	(1)
Federal Power to Regulate Business	601	(9)
Taxing and Spending Power	601	(1)
Commerce Clause	602	(4)
Katzenbach v. McClung	606	(3)
Contracts Clause	609	(1)
Negotiable Instruments	610	(4)
Requirements of Negotiability	610	(1)
Effects of Negotiability	611	(1)
Holders in Due Course	612	(2)
Secured Transactions	614	(3)
Employment Discrimination	617	(9)
The Federal Discrimination Statutes	617	(3)
Oncale v. Sundowner Offshore Services, Inc.	620	(6)
Security Regulation	626	(9)
Act Offerings	628	(1)
Act Filings and Regulations	629	(2)
United States v. Falcone	631	(4)
Antitrust Law	635	(6)
Analysis of Allegations of Antitrust Violations	637	(1)
Specific Activities	637	(2)
Monopolies	639	(1)
The Debate Behind the Law	640	(1)
Other Examples of Governmental Regulation of Business	641	(1)
Key Terms, Names, and Concepts	642	(1)
Discussion Questions	643	(3)
Suggested Additional Reading	646	(1)
Endnotes	647	(6)
Taxation	653	(52)
Federal Tax Authority	654	(1)
Administration of Tax Law	655	(2)
Uses of the Federal Tax System	657	(1)
Political Nature of Tax Legislation	658	(4)
Income Taxation of Individuals: The Tax Formula	662	(25)
Gross Income	663	(3)
Woody v. United States	666	(4)
Olk v. United States	670	(4)
Deductions	674	(7)
Taxable Income, Tax Rates, Filing Status, and Tax Credits	681	(6)
Limitations and Two Vital Planning Concepts	687	(2)
Income Shifting and Capital Gains	688	(1)
Entities for Business Activities	689	(5)
Individual Proprietorships	690	(1)
Corporations	690	(2)
Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies	692	(2)
Key Terms, Names, and Concepts	694	(1)
Discussion Questions	695	(2)
Suggested Additional Reading	697	(1)
Endnotes	697	(8)
Appendix I. Constitution of the United States	705	(14)
Appendix II. Excerpts From ALI's Model Penal Code and Article 3 of the Uniform Commercial Code	719	(12)
American Law Institute's Model Penal Code Official Draft, 1962, Selected Sections	719	(5)
Section 1.05. All Offenses Defined by Statute: Application of General Provisions of the Code	719	(1)
Section 2.01. Requirement of Voluntary Act; Omission as Basis of Liability; Possession as an Act	719	(1)
Section 2.08. Intoxication	719	(1)
Section 2.09. Duress	720	(1)
Section 2.13. Entrapment	720	(1)
Section 3.02. Justification Generally: Choice of Evils	720	(1)
Section 4.01. Mental Disease or Defect Excluding Responsibility	721	(1)
Section 5.03. Criminal Conspiracy	721	(1)
Section 210.1. Criminal Homicide	721	(1)
Section 210.2. Murder	721	(1)
Section 210.3. Manslaughter	721	(1)
Section 210.4. Negligent Homicide	721	(1)
Section 211.0. Assault	722	(1)
Section 213.1. Rape and Related Offenses	722	(1)
Section 213.2. Deviate Sexual Intercourse by Force or Imposition	722	(1)
Section 221.1. Burglary	723	(1)
Section 222.1. Robbery	723	(1)
Section 223.2. Theft by Unlawful Taking or Deception	723	(1)
Section 223.3. Theft by Deception	723	(1)
Section 223.4. Theft by Extortion	723	(1)
Selected Sections From Article 3 of the Uniform Commercial Code	724	(7)
§ 3-104. Negotiable Instrument	724	(1)
§ 3-106. Unconditional Promise or Order	724	(1)
§ 3-108. Payable on Demand or at Definite Time	725	(1)
§ 3-109. Payable to Bearer or to Order	725	(1)
§ 3-112. Interest	725	(1)
§ 3-201. Negotiation	725	(1)
§ 3-204. Indorsement	725	(1)
§ 3-205. Special Indorsement; Blank Indorsement; Anomalous Indorsement	726	(1)
§ 3-206. Restrictive Indorsement	726	(1)
§ 3-302. Holder in Due Course	727	(1)
§ 3-303. Value and Consideration	728	(1)
§ 3-304. Overdue Instrument	728	(1)
§ 3-305. Defenses and Claims in Recoupment	728	(3)
Appendix III. Taxation: 2001 and 2002 Forms and Inflation-Adjusted Amounts for 2002 and 2003	731	(10)
2001 Form 1040	732	(2)
2002 Form 1040	734	(2)
2002 Tax Rate Schedules	736	(1)
2003 Tax Rate Schedules	737	(1)
2001 Through 2003 Selected Indexed Amounts	738	(3)
1. AGI Limits: Itemized Deduction Phase-out for High-Income Taxpayers	738	(1)
2. The Standard Deduction	738	(1)
3. Personal and Dependency Exemptions	739	(1)
4. Personal and Dependency Exemption Phase-out for High-Income Taxpayers	739	(1)
5. Earned Income Credit Maximum Credit Amounts	739	(2)
Glossary of Selected Legal and Foreign Terms	741	(24)
Name Index	765	(2)
Subject Index	767	(20)
Photo Credits	787	(2)
About the Authors	789