Chapter 3 - De Anza College

Chapter 3

The Courts and Legal Personnel

The United States Federal Courts Supreme Court

U.S. Supreme Court

Appellate Courts

U.S. Courts of Appeals

Trial Courts

U.S. District Courts

12 Regional Circuit Courts of Appeals 1 U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit 94 Judicial Districts U.S. Bankruptcy Courts

U.S. Court of International Trade U.S. Court of Federal Claims Military Courts (Trial and Appellate) Court of Veterans Appeals U.S. Tax Court Federal Administrative Agencies and Boards

Federal Courts and Other Entities Outside the Judicial Branch

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The U.S. Supreme Court The Supreme Court is primarily a court of review that exercises appellate jurisdiction It hears cases from the lower federal courts. It will hear cases that originate in the state courts if the case involves constitutional issues or a question of federal law.

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The Legal Community       

Judges Lawyers Paralegals Legal Support Staff Court Personnel Agency Personnel Criminal Justice Personnel

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Legal Support Staff Legal Secretaries Law Clerks Paralegals Case Assistants Case Clerks Introduction to Law, 4th Edition Hames and Ekern

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Court Personnel Judges  Court Clerks  Court Reporters  Bailiffs 

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Ethical Responsibilities for Lawyers and Staff      

 

Fiduciary Duty Confidentiality Competency Conflict of Interest Attorney Fees and Trust Accounts Diligence Communication with Opposing Parties Unauthorized Practice of Law

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