NCJ Number
54461
Date Published
1978
Length
14 pages
Annotation
THIS BOOKLET FOR LAY PERSONS DESCRIBES THE WORK OF THE STATE COURT SYSTEM, ITS ORGANIZATION, THE TYPES OF CASES HANDLED, THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE STATE COURTS AND THE FEDERAL COURTS, AND COURT PROCEDURES.
Abstract
THE PAMPHLET IS A GENERAL GUIDE FOR THOSE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE LAW OR COURTS. IT FIRST REVIEWS THE PORTION OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE CONSITITION CREATING THE STATE COURT SYSTEM. IT THEN DESCRIBES THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A CIVIL CASE AND A CRIMINAL CASE. AN ORGANIZATIONAL CHART ILLUSTRATES THE NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE COURT SYSTEM, GIVING NUMBER OF MUNICIPAL, DISTRICT, AND SUPERIOR COURTS, THE NUMBER OF CASES EACH HANDLED IN 1977, THEIR JURISDICTION, AND ROUTES OF APPEAL. PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING CRIMINAL CASES IN SUPERIOR COURT ARE EXPLAINED STEP-BY-STEP. A GENERAL OVERVIEW IS GIVEN FOR PROCEDURES FOLLOWED IN CIVIL CASES. THE JURY SELECTION PROCESS IS THEN DESCRIBED. A FINAL SECTION BRIEFLY DESCRIBES THE ROLE PLAYED BY COURT REPORTERS, BAILIFFS, CLERKS, PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS, JUDGES, AND OTHER COURT-RELATED PERSONNEL THE CITIZEN MAY ENCOUNTER. (GLR)