The American Court System: Module 1 of 5

Summary

This module provides a comprehensive overview of the American court system and civil litigation. It explains the dual federal and state court systems, their structures, and the parallel operation under federalism. Key topics include the organization of federal courts, state courts, the U.S. Supreme Court, jurisdiction, venue, and procedural rules such as the Erie Doctrine. The module also outlines how cases move through courts, from trial courts to appellate courts, highlighting the role of the Supreme Court and the process of certiorari. This foundational knowledge sets the stage for understanding civil litigation processes, preparing learners for deeper exploration of pleadings and motions in subsequent modules.

Takeaways

• 📚 Civil litigation focuses on how U.S. courts are structured and how cases proceed from start to finish, governed by statutes and procedural rules.
• 🏛️ The U.S. court system is divided into federal and state courts, which operate in parallel but federal law supersedes conflicting state law.
• ⚖️ The federal court system was established by the Judiciary Act of 1789 and includes the Supreme Court, Circuit Courts of Appeals, District Courts, and specialty courts.
• 👩‍⚖️ Federal judges are appointed by the President, confirmed by the Senate, enjoy life tenure, and can only be removed by impeachment.
• 🏢 State court systems vary by state but generally include local courts, county-level courts, intermediate appellate courts, and state Supreme Courts.
• 📝 The U.S. Supreme Court is the highest court, primarily serving as the court of last resort with appellate jurisdiction over federal and state courts on constitutional matters.
• 📄 The Supreme Court selects cases through the writ of certiorari process, accepting only a small percentage of petitions, focusing on cases of national significance or legal conflicts.
• 🌐 Jurisdiction determines a court's authority: subject-matter jurisdiction covers the type of case, while personal jurisdiction covers the parties involved.
• 📍 Venue refers to the proper physical location for a trial, usually near where the events occurred or the defendant resides, with courts able to change venue for fairness.
• ⚖️ The Erie doctrine ensures that state law is applied in federal courts in diversity cases to prevent forum shopping and maintain uniformity, while procedural rules follow federal standards.
• 🔜 Module 2 will cover the practical steps of civil litigation, including pleadings and motions that initiate and guide the case.

Q & A

What is civil litigation, and what does it focus on in the U.S. court system?

Civil litigation is the field of law that deals with how the U.S. court system is structured and organized, and how civil cases progress through the courts from start to finish. It primarily focuses on statutes and rules, like the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, that govern court processes.

How does the U.S. court system reflect federalism?

The U.S. court system is divided into federal and state courts that operate in parallel. While both can cover criminal, civil, and administrative law, federal law is supreme under the Constitution's Supremacy Clause. State law applies where the federal government is not authorized to act, as per the Tenth Amendment.

What was the significance of the Judiciary Act of 1789?

The Judiciary Act of 1789, passed by the first U.S. Congress, established the federal judiciary system. It created the Supreme Court, appellate courts, and district courts, forming the foundation for the federal court structure still in use today.

How are federal courts organized today?

The federal court system today consists of the Supreme Court (9 justices), 13 Circuit Courts of Appeal, 94 District Courts, and various specialized courts such as bankruptcy, tax, and military courts. Appellate courts are geographically organized to handle appeals from their district courts.

What is the role of the U.S. Supreme Court?

The U.S. Supreme Court is the highest court in the country. It has original jurisdiction over certain cases (e.g., disputes between states) and appellate jurisdiction over cases from federal appellate courts or the highest state courts. Its decisions on federal and constitutional law are final.

How does the Supreme Court decide which cases to hear?

The Supreme Court uses a process called certiorari. A petition is filed, and if at least 4 of the 9 justices agree, the Court grants the writ, ordering the lower court to send the case record. Only about 2–3% of petitions are accepted, generally those with national significance or conflicts in circuit court decisions.

What are jurisdiction and venue, and why are they important?

Jurisdiction is a court's legal power to hear a case, divided into subject matter (type of case) and personal jurisdiction (power over parties). Venue refers to the proper physical location for the trial, usually near where events occurred or where defendants reside. Both ensure cases are heard fairly and appropriately.

What is the Erie doctrine and why is it significant?

The Erie doctrine, established in Erie Railroad Co. v. Tompkins (1938), requires federal courts hearing cases based on state law (usually due to diversity jurisdiction) to apply the relevant state law. This prevents forum shopping and ensures consistent application of laws regardless of which court hears the case.

What types of courts exist at the state level?

State court systems usually have three tiers: trial courts (including specialized courts like family, probate, and traffic), intermediate appellate courts, and the state Supreme Court. Local courts handle minor cases, county-level courts handle major civil and criminal cases, and appellate courts review decisions from lower courts.

How is personal jurisdiction established over a defendant?

Personal jurisdiction can be established in two main ways: in personam, where the court has jurisdiction over the individual because of substantial connections with the state; and in rem, where the court has jurisdiction over the property involved in the case, such as land ownership disputes.

What types of cases have exclusive federal jurisdiction?

Exclusive federal jurisdiction applies to cases that may only be heard in federal court and not in state court. These include admiralty and maritime cases, bankruptcy cases, and certain intellectual property cases.

What are the criteria for a Supreme Court justice to grant an emergency stay?

The criteria are: 1) reasonable probability that four justices will grant certiorari, 2) fair prospect that a majority will conclude the lower court decision was erroneous, 3) irreparable harm from denial, and 4) in closed cases, a balance of equities considering the interests of the applicant, respondent, and public.