Court Systems

Find and watch a video, or find a synopsis, a summary, or an overview of a major criminal court proceeding. Look for elements and components of the court system.

Use the following sample links to state, municipal, and local justice courts as examples of appropriate websites:

• U.S. Courts: The Federal Judiciary (http://www.uscourts.gov/)
• California Courts: The judicial branch of California (http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/)
• Phoenix Municipal Court (http://phoenix.gov/COURT/courtpro.html)
• Oregon Blue Book: Justice Courts (http://bluebook.state.or.us/state/judicial/judicial38.htm)

Identify and use links to courts in your own state or jurisdiction to write your paper.

Write a 1,050- to 1,750-word paper that identifies and describes the distinguishing features of the major court systems, ranging from state-level superior courts and federal district courts through the U.S. Supreme Court.

• Include key players, jurisdictional rules and interpretation issues, and the effect of evolving technologies on court proceedings at each level.
• As you cover these ideas, describe where you saw or read about them in the court case.

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.