Outline of the U.S. Legal System

Abstract

This outline covers the history and organization of the federal and state judicial systems; the criminal and civil court processes; the background, qualifications, and selection of federal judges; the role of other participants (lawyers, defendants, interest groups) in the judicial process; and the implementation and impact of judicial policies. Contents: 1) History and Organization of State Judicial System. 2) History and Organization of the Federal Judicial System. 3) Jurisdiction and Policy-Making Boundaries. 4) Lawyers, Litigants, and Interest Groups in the Judicial Process. 5) U.S. Criminal Court Process. 6) U.S. Civil Court Process. 7) Federal Judges. 8) Implementation and Impact of Judicial Policies. Also contains a Glossary and the full text of the US Constitution and Amendments.