NCJ Number
72331
Date Published
1977
Length
325 pages
Annotation
This guide to the State and Federal court systems provides a historical perspective on the U.S. court structure and creation of judicial power, and it extensively describes the State courts, the grand and petit juries, and the U.S. court system. Court systems in eight States and the District of Columbia are detailed.
Abstract
It examines the court structure of the American colonies under the Articles of Confederation and the Judiciary Act of 1789 which created a Supreme Court and a system of inferior Federal courts. The structure and jurisdiction, judicial conduct, continuing judicial education, and court administration of State courts generally are described. The development, functions, and analyses of the grand and petit juries are discussed, and court systems for the following States are described: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. A history of the U.S. court system is provided, which pertains to court structure, jurisdiction, judicial personnel, and administration. Commentary is provided on the Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals, the U.S. Tax Court, U.S. District Courts, U.S. Court of Military Appeals, and others. Numerous tables and diagrams illustrate the narrative, and each chapter is supplemented by a list of additional readings. A glossary of terms and an index are included. A comparison of U.S. and foreign court systems and legal research materials are appended.