I want to thank everyone who responded to my inquiry regarding a relatively inexpensive basic text or guide that explains the U.S. Federal court system, and how cases go to trial and the appeal process.
For the benefit of those who might be interested, a list of resources with comments follows:
1. here is a 47-page PDF document called "Understanding the Federal Courts" by the U.S. Office of Administrative Courts, at: http://www.uscourts.gov/about.html
2. title: The Federal Court System in the United States: An Introduction for Judges and Judicial Administrators in other Countries.
date: 2000, size: 58pp, pub: Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts
Article III Judges Division, Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Bldg.,
One Columbus Circle, N.E., Washington, DC 20544
3. An Introduction to the Legal System of the United States , by E. Allen Farnsworth... just under $30, is 195 pages and is in it's 3rd edition from Oceana.
4. "Legal Research Online and in the Library" by Stephen Elias and Susan Levinkind, published by Nolo Press. Chapter Three takes you step-by-step through a civil litigation case, in easy-to-read language. It also explains the fundamentals of American law. Very useful for pro se patrons and other non-lawyers!
5. The Legal Professional's Handbook from the Rutters Group. It's updates cost about $95 per year. ...also the Legal Secretary Federal Litigation published by James Publishing and edited by Pamela Everett.
6. "Anatomy of a Lawsuit." It was a thin paperback that followed a Colorado case involving an one-car collision resulting in personal injury and the Colorado guest statute. Since the Colorado procedure is substantially the same as the Federal Rules, it was a pretty basic explanation of federal civil litigation. The book can be read by any
competent reader in just a couple of hours and it presents a rather
interesting context for the litigation process.
Internet sites:
1. http://air.fjc.gov/public/fjcweb.nsf/pages/173
2. The ABA's Division for Public Education has a generic "How Courts Work" on its Web site: http://www.abanet.org/publiced/courts/home.html
It's geared towards the uninitiated, so it may be a good way to start off a
new hire.
3. firstgov.com and thomas.loc.gov
Anthony D. Cocuzzi
Milberg Weiss Bershad Hynes & Lerach, LLP
New York, NY
adc@mwbhl.com
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