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2: Courts and the Legal Process

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    137546
    • Anonymous
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    Learning Objectives

    After reading this chapter, you should be able to do the following:

    • Describe the two different court systems in the United States, and explain why some cases can be filed in either court system.
    • Explain the importance of subject matter jurisdiction and personal jurisdiction and know the difference between the two.
    • Describe the various stages of a civil action: from pleadings, to discovery, to trial, and to appeals.
    • Describe two alternatives to litigation: mediation and arbitration.

    In the United States, law and government are interdependent. The Constitution establishes the basic framework of government and imposes certain limitations on the powers of government. In turn, the various branches of government are intimately involved in making, enforcing, and interpreting the law. Today, much of the law comes from Congress and the state legislatures. But it is in the courts that legislation is interpreted and prior case law is interpreted and applied.

    • 2.1: Introduction to the Courts and the Legal Process
      This page discusses the Robinsons' dilemma in filing a products-liability lawsuit following an Audi accident in Oklahoma. They are uncertain about choosing between state and federal court due to personal jurisdiction issues over Audi and Volkswagen. Additionally, they need to determine which jurisdiction's law applies—potentially New York, Oklahoma, federal, or German law—which will impact the court's ability to address and enforce the case against all defendants.
    • 2.2: The Relationship between State and Federal Court Systems in the United States
      This page describes the U.S. court system, outlining the structure and interaction between state and federal courts, emphasizing jurisdiction, with most civil cases in state courts and federal courts addressing diversity jurisdiction. It details the levels of the federal system, including district courts for trials and appellate courts for appeals, concluding with the Supreme Court's role and its selective case control.
    • 2.3: The Problem of Jurisdiction
      This page explores the concepts of concurrent jurisdiction, distinguishing between state and federal law. It explains how plaintiffs can choose between courts based on factors like legal issues and strategic considerations, vital for avoiding case dismissal due to incorrect filings. It also discusses personal jurisdiction, the adversary system of civil dispute resolution, the initiation of lawsuits, and the burdens of proof.
    • 2.4: Motions and Discovery
      This page details the early stages of a civil lawsuit, emphasizing pleadings, motions to dismiss, and discovery. It explains how cases can be terminated before trial through default judgments, legal arguments against claims or jurisdiction, and summary judgments in the absence of factual disputes. Discovery is presented as essential for gathering evidence, with the ability to contest unreasonable requests. Most cases resolve through settlement or dismissal prior to trial.
    • 2.5: The Pretrial and Trial Phase
      This page outlines the jury verdict process in trials, emphasizing the requirement for a unanimous decision in serious cases and the judge's authority to handle retrials or posttrial motions. It highlights the judge's role in ensuring fair trials and avoiding prejudicial errors. The text also notes the prevalence of case settlements before trial, underscoring the importance of pretrial conferences.
    • 2.6: Judgment, Appeal, and Execution
      This page details the posttrial process in civil litigation, focusing on how appellate courts manage appeals following a trial. It describes the issuance of a judgment by a judge, the appeal process initiated by the losing party, and the review of trial records to find legal errors. Appellate courts evaluate the fairness of the trial without hearing new evidence and operate under binding precedents.
    • 2.7: When Can Someone Bring a Lawsuit?
      This page explains the requirements for standing in U.S. lawsuits and the class action certification process. A lawsuit can be filed by anyone with resources, but not all cases are accepted if the plaintiff lacks standing or a real dispute. To have standing, a plaintiff must show direct injury. Class actions enable a group with similar injuries to sue collectively, contingent on court certification. Participants in a class action cannot re-litigate issues after a final judgment is made.
    • 2.8: Relations with Lawyers
      This page discusses how lawyers charge for services, detailing flat rates, hourly rates, and contingent fees, particularly in personal injury cases. It contrasts the American rule—where each party pays their own legal fees—with the British rule, which makes the losing party responsible for the winning party's fees. Exceptions to the American rule are noted. The section underscores the high costs of litigation and the significance of fee structures in obtaining legal representation.
    • 2.9: Alternative Means of Resolving Disputes
      This page discusses arbitration and mediation as alternatives to litigation for resolving disputes. Arbitration involves a private decision-maker for binding resolutions, often through organizations like the American Arbitration Association. Mediation allows parties to negotiate with a neutral mediator without imposed decisions. Both methods offer quicker and more cost-effective solutions than court proceedings.
    • 2.10: Cases
      This page discusses two legal cases: Burger King Corp. v. Rudzewicz, where the U.S. Supreme Court established that Florida has jurisdiction over a franchisee due to substantial business ties, emphasizing "minimum contacts" and "purposeful availment"; and Ferlito v. Johnson & Johnson, where the court sided with JJP, ruling that plaintiffs failed to link lack of warnings about a costume's flammability to injuries suffered, thus overturning a jury award.

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