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Introduction to Legal Process in the United States

This article provides an overview of the legal process in the United States, including the sources of law, court systems, and the judicial process. It covers legislative, administrative, and judicial sources of law, as well as federal and state court systems. The judicial process is explained, including pleading, discovery, pre-trial, trial, and post-trial stages. Key terms and concepts are discussed throughout.

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Introduction to Legal Process in the United States

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  1. Introduction to Legal Processin the United States Sources of law Court system Judicial process Alan R. Palmiter – Jan. 2005

  2. (1) Sources of law • Legislative • Administrative • Judicial • Federalism: federal (supreme) vs. state

  3. (1) Sources of law • Legislative (Congress) • Constitution • Statutes • Legislative history

  4. (1) Sources of law • Administrative (Securities & Exchange Commission) • Regulation (rules) • Agency decisions • Opinions • No-action letters

  5. (1) Sources of law • Judicial (federal courts) • Constitutional review • Statutory interpretation • Common law (precedent)

  6. (2) Court systems • Federal • State (North Carolina)

  7. (2) Court systems • Federal • US Supreme Court • US Courts of Appeals • US trial courts • US District Courts • Special courts • US Claims Court • US Bankruptcy Court • US International Court of Trade • US Tax Court

  8. (2) Court systems • Federal • US Supreme Court • Discretionary review (from federal courts of appeal and state supreme courts) • Original jurisdiction (state vs. state) • Appointed for life by President (Senate confirms) • US Courts of Appeals • US District Court

  9. (2) Court systems • Federal • US Supreme Court • US Courts of Appeals • Appeal of right from US trial courts • Review of errors (primarily legal) • 11 regional circuits / DC Circuit / Federal Circuit • US District Court

  10. (2) Court systems • Federal • US Supreme Court • US Courts of Appeals • US District Court • Limited jurisdiction (federal questions / diversity cases) • Exclusive / concurrent jurisdiction • Juries for $ damages / judges for injunctions

  11. (2) Court systems • State (North Carolina) • NC Supreme Court • NC Court of Appeals • NC trial courts • Superior court • District courts • Magistrate court • Small claims court

  12. (2) Court systems • State (North Carolina) • NC Supreme Court • Discretionary review (questions of law) • Elected (7 justices) • NC Court of Appeals • NC trial courts

  13. (2) Court systems • State (North Carolina) • NC Supreme Court • NC Court of Appeals • Appeal of right from superior courts • Review of errors (factual / legal) • 15 elected judges (appeals heard by 3-judge panels) • NC trial courts

  14. (2) Court systems • State (North Carolina) • NC Supreme Court • NC Court of Appeals • NC trial courts • Superior court: felonies / civil > 10K / jury trial • District courts: minor criminal / civil <10K / family law • Magistrate court: traffic court / small civil <4K • Small claims court: small civil <4K, pro se (no attorney)

  15. (2) Court systems • State (North Carolina) • NC Supreme Court • NC Court of Appeals • NC trial courts • Special business court: by reference • Sits throughout state • One appointed judge • All filings in electronic form

  16. (3) Judicial process Pleading Discovery Pre-trial Trial Post-trial (appeals) • Filters at each stage

  17. (3) Judicial process Pleading • Complaint (individual or class action) • Answer (counterclaim / cross-claim) • Filters • Default judgment • Motion to dismiss • Rule11 sanctions

  18. (3) Judicial process Discovery • Depositions • Interrogatories • Document requests • Examinations (physical and mental) • Admissions • Filters • Discovery sanctions

  19. (3) Judicial process Pre-trial • Settlement conference • Alternative dispute methods: mediation / arbitration • Pre-trial conference • Filters • Summary judgment • Voluntary dismissal (settlement)

  20. (3) Judicial process Trial • Jury / bench trial • Live, continuous: witness / exhibits • Rules of evidence • Lawyer arguments • Filters • Directed verdict (judgment as matter of law)

  21. (3) Judicial process Post-trial (appeals) • Reopen case before appeal • Enforcement of judgment • Appeal (on record) • Filters • Judgment notwithstanding verdict (NOV) • Appeal: affirm, reversal, remand

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