© South-Western Educational Publishing Chapter 30 Dispute Resolution  The Legal System  Other Ways to Seek Redress

GOALS © South-Western Educational Publishing Lesson 30.1 The Legal System  Describe the organization of the legal system in the United States.  Explain the legal procedures from complaint to judgment.

© South-Western Educational Publishing Structure of the Legal System  Trial court  Appellate court  Civil court  Criminal court

© South-Western Educational Publishing Court Personnel  Judge  Clerk of court  Court reporter  Bailiff  Jury

© South-Western Educational Publishing The Federal Court System  The United States Supreme Court  Courts of appeal  District trial courts  Special federal courts

© South-Western Educational Publishing State Court Systems  State supreme courts  District and circuit courts  County and city courts

© South-Western Educational Publishing Court Proceedings  Plaintiff files complaint  Defendant is served  Discovery  Trial takes place  The court enters a judgment

GOALS © South-Western Educational Publishing Lesson 30.2 Other Ways to Seek Redress  Define remedies available to consumers other than individual lawsuits.  Explain alternative dispute resolution (ADR) options.

© South-Western Educational Publishing Self-Help Remedies  Negotiating  Withholding payment

© South-Western Educational Publishing Small-Claims Court  Matter heard quickly  Decision is final  Must represent yourself  No jury  Judge decides the matter  Limit on amount of damages

© South-Western Educational Publishing Class-Action Lawsuits Legal action in which a large number of people with similar complaints against the same defendant join together to sue.

© South-Western Educational Publishing Sources of Governmental Assistance Automobiles National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Collection, Credit State Consumer Protection Division Drugs/Food Food and Drug Administration Household Consumer Product Safety Commission Investment Fraud Federal Trade Commission Securities and Exchange Commission

© South-Western Educational Publishing Sources of Governmental Assistance Medical/Dental Sate Board of Medical Examiners State Department of Commerce State Board of Dental Examiners State Health Division State Board Pharmacy Medicare Social Security Administration

© South-Western Educational Publishing Sources of Governmental Assistance Local District Attorney Local or State Better Business Bureau Transportation Interstate Commerce Commission Warranties Federal Trade Commission Fraud/ Misrepresentation State Consumer Protection Division

© South-Western Educational Publishing Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR)  Mediation  Arbitration  Voluntary arbitration  Binding arbitration