CJ 100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: District Attorney, Public Defender, Alternative Dispute Resolution
Document Summary
There are three levels of courts in the federal system: District courts = trial courts of the federal system. Us courts of appeal (aka us circuit courts) Frivolous = appeal for the sake of appeal. Nonconsensual = major questions of law and policy. Civil suits where the damages involve less than a specific amount of money. Decides important political and social issues - shapes the future meaning of the constitution. Writ of certiorari and the rule of four. Judge is the ultimate authority in the courtroom primary duty is to ensure justice, but that"s not all . An informal dispute resolution process in which a neutral third (mediator) helps disputing parties reach an agreement. A process of dispute resolution in which a neutral third party (arbitrator) renders a decision following a hearing at which both parties agree to be heard. Arbitration is usually binding, whereas mediation is not.