The Structure of American Law: The Courts (2024)

American Law: An Introduction (3rd edn)

Lawrence M. Friedman andGrant M. Hayden

Published:

2017

Online ISBN:

9780190460624

Print ISBN:

9780190460587

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American Law: An Introduction (3rd edn)

Lawrence M. Friedman andGrant M. Hayden

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Lawrence M. Friedman,

Lawrence M. Friedman

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Grant M. Hayden

Grant M. Hayden

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Pages

55–84

  • Published:

    January 2017

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Friedman, Lawrence M., and Grant M. Hayden, 'The Structure of American Law: The Courts', American Law: An Introduction, 3rd edn (New York, 2017; online edn, Oxford Academic, 19 Jan. 2017), https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780190460587.003.0004, accessed 30 May 2024.

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Abstract

This chapter discusses the American court system. It begins by laying out the basic structure of federal and state court systems. It then looks at the judges—where they come from and whether they occupy an elective or appointive office. Next, the work of the courts is examined, including the kinds of cases in federal and state courts, basic trial court procedure, actions in equity, the settlement process, and the work of appellate courts. Finally, the chapter explains and evaluates various theories of judicial decisionmaking.

Keywords: courts, judicial system, judges, state courts, federal courts, trial, trial courts, appellate courts, equity, judicial decisionmaking

Subject

Comparative Law

Collection: Oxford Scholarship Online

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