Courts and trials: a reference handbook

Introduction

The image and legitimacy of courts

The distinguishing characteristics and functions of courts

Distinctive decisionmaking

Norm enforcement

Dispute processing

Buffer between citizens and government

Policymaking

The structure of courts

Trial courts of limited jurisdiction

Trial courts of general jurisdiction

Appellate courts

Trial processes and the role of rights

Rights in the criminal trial process

Criminal trial processes

Civil trial processes

Conclusion

References and further reading

Issues and controversies

Methods for selecting judges

Judicial elections

Judicial appointments

Merit selection

The adversary system versus the inquisitorial system

Adversary system

The inquisitorial system

The systems compared

Legal representation for the poor

Appointed counsel

Contract counsel

Public defenders

Another alternative

The capacity of citizen-jurors to make judicial decisions

The history of jury trials

Jury trials around the world

U.S. Jury trials

Complex information and the jury

Accessibility of civil courts for dispute resolution

Small-claims court

Contingency fees

European approaches

Court access and governmental priorities

Civil justice reform

Tort reform

Cyber court

Court-annexed alternative dispute resolution

Binding arbitration

Public access to information about court cases

Conflicts between public access and other goals

Cameras in the courtroom

Security risks and open trials

Sentencing reform

Mandatory sentences

Sentencing guidelines

Conclusion

References and further reading

Chronology

References and further reading

Biographical sketches

Documents and statistics

Selected provisions of the U.S. Constitution

Article III

Amendment V (1791) - Amendment VI (1791) - Amendment VII (1791) - Amendment VIII (1791) - Amendment XIV (1868)

Selected examples of additional statutory and other materials

Merit selection of judges in Missouri

Judicial selection in New Mexico

Alternative dispute resolution in Florida

Sentencing guidelines commission in Minnesota

North Dakota rules on cameras in the courtroom

Cyber court

Juror note-taking in Missouri

Eligibility for legal assistance: Legal Services Corporation

Excerpts from the testimony: President of the Legal Services Corporation

Key decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court affecting courts and trials

Data on courts and trials

Court organization

The nature of court caseloads and the prevalence of trials

Case processing time and duration of trials

Sentencing guidelines

Agencies and organizations

Print resources

Books

Journals, magazines, and newsletters

Government documents and agency publications

Nonprint resources

Films

Internet addresses.