NCJ Number
84610
Date Published
1982
Length
100 pages
Annotation
This guide to the Federal courts explains the structure and operation of the Federal court sytem, including an explanation of the litigation process.
Abstract
The guide examines the kinds of cases being heard by the Federal as opposed to the State courts and the operation of the three-tiered Federal system, which includes the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, and the District Courts. It also considers the special courts in the Federal system, including the Court of Claims, the Court of International Trade, and the Tax Court. The litigation of a Federal case is tracked step-by-step from the time it is filed until it is disposed of by decision or settement. Two examples, one involving a products liability case and another an antitrust (unfair trade) case are used to illustrate litigation. Current issues bearing upon the Federal courts are discussed as well, including class action lawsuits, latent disease (toxic substance) actions, and the problems of court delay. Appended are a glossary of terms, outlines of recently filed cases, a sample antitrust complaint and answer, a plaintiff's and defendant's pretrial narrative statement, and antitrust compliance guidelines. (Author summary modified)