NCJ Number
45171
Date Published
1977
Length
31 pages
Annotation
THIS PAMPHLET IS INTENDED AS AN INTRODUCTION FOR STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND OTHER INTERESTED IN THE HISTORY AND FUNCTION OF NEW HAMPSHIRE'S HIGHEST COURT.
Abstract
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE STATE'S SUPREME COURT FROM ITS BEGINNINGS IN 1776 IS OUTLINED; CHANGES MADE SINCE THEN AND PURPOSES SERVED BY THE COURT IN 1977 ARE DESCRIBED. IT SERVES PRIMARILY TO CORRECT ERRORS IN TRIAL COURT PROCEEDINGS, TO INTERPRET THE LAW SO AS TO SET STANDARDS THAT MAY BE FOLLOWED IN FUTURE CASES, AND TO SUPERVISE THE COURTS THROUGHOUT NEW HAMPSHIRE. THE COURT MAY ALSO ISSUE ADVISORY OPINIONS AT THE REQUEST OF THE LEGISLATURE CONCERNING THE LEGALITY OF ACTIONS WHICH ARE BEING CONSIDERED, AND IT HAS JURISDICTION OVER THE ADMISSION OF ATTORNEYS TO THE BAR. THE COURT'S STAFF INCLUDES THE CLERK OF COURT AND THE REPORTER OF DECISIONS. THE CLERK IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PRESERVING ALL COURT FILES AND PAPERS; KEEPING A DOCKET RECORD OF ALL PETITIONS, APPEALS, RESERVED CASES, OR OTHER PROCESSES PRESENTED TO THE COURT; AND RECORDING THE NAMES OF PARTIES AND THEIR COUNSEL AND A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCEEDINGS. THE REPORTER OF DECISIONS PREPARES A CONDENSED STATEMENT OF THE SUBSTANCE OF THE LAW QUESTIONS DECIDED IN EACH CASE AND PUBLISHES THE OPINIONS RENDERED BY THE SUPREME COURT. THE STANDARD PROCEDURE BY WHICH A CASE GOES THROUGH THE SUPREME COURT INCLUDES: FILING WITH THE CLERK; SUBMISSION OF BRIEFS PRESENTING EACH PARTY'S ARGUMENTS; AN ORAL ARGUMENT; RESEARCH OF THE CASE BY ONE JUDGE; A CONFERENCE OF ALL FIVE JUDGES; AND ISSUANCE OF THE COURT'S OPINION. APPENDIXES INCLUDE A GLOSSARY OF COURT-RELATED TERMS, A LIST OF FORMER JUSTICES, BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF JUSTICES HOLDING OFFICE IN 1977, AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY.