1. Federal Courts

2. Judiciary Branch –Interpret the law-role of the courts –Jurisdiction-defines the area of cases over which the court has authority to act Federal Courts-jurisdiction –Interpreting US Constitution –Interpreting Federal Laws-bank robbery, prohibition –Foreign treaties –Maritime law –Bankruptcy laws –Specific parties Ambassadors

3. Disputes between states Disputes with the US government or one of its departments-environmental suits Disputes between citizens and states –Concurrent jurisdiction-fed and states share jurisdiction-Exxon Valdez Types of Law –Civil Law-disputes between 2 or more individuals and gov’t. Plaintiff-person bringing the suit Defendant-person being sued Damages-award of $ to plaintiff Injunction-court order not to do a certain action

4. –Criminal Law-when you break a Federal Law Gov’t. is always the plaintiff Person being tried is defendant Most criminal trials are in state courts –Constitutional Law Usually a matter of defining the limits of governmental power Most likely to end up in Supreme Court if appealed Legal terms –Equal justice under the law Are poor really equal? –Due process Procedural -did gov’t. follow correct procedures when arresting?

5. Substantive –Deals with content of a law-Is it unreasonable? Adversary system-prosecutors and defense are both doing their best to win –Some say lawyers do too good of a job protecting criminals –Plea-bargain –Presumptive sentences –Presumption of innocence