The State and Federal Courts
A Complete Guide to History, Powers, and Controversy
Published on 26. January 2017
Book
Hardback
528 pages
978-1-4408-4145-3 (ISBN)
Description
How does the American judiciary impact the development of legal and social policies in the United States? How are the state and federal court systems constructed? This book answers these questions and many others regarding politics, the U.S. courts, and society.
This single-volume work provides a comprehensive and contemporary treatment of the historical development of state and federal courts that clearly documents how they have evolved into significant political institutions. It addresses vital and highly relevant subjects such as the constitutional origins of courts, the nature of judicial selection and service, and the organization of courts and their administration. The book explains civil and criminal legal proceedings, the political impact of judicial rulings, and the restraints placed upon the exercise of judicial powers.
Readers will come away with an understanding of the key principles of constitutional interpretation and judicial review as well as judicial independence, what factors affect access to courts, the underlying politics of state judicial campaigns, and the confirmation of presidential appointments to the federal bench. The book covers historical and contemporary court perspectives on major issues, such as same-sex marriage, the Affordable Care Act, campaign financing, gun rights, free speech and religious freedom, racial discrimination, affirmative action, criminal procedure and punishments, property rights, and voting rights.
This single-volume work provides a comprehensive and contemporary treatment of the historical development of state and federal courts that clearly documents how they have evolved into significant political institutions. It addresses vital and highly relevant subjects such as the constitutional origins of courts, the nature of judicial selection and service, and the organization of courts and their administration. The book explains civil and criminal legal proceedings, the political impact of judicial rulings, and the restraints placed upon the exercise of judicial powers.
Readers will come away with an understanding of the key principles of constitutional interpretation and judicial review as well as judicial independence, what factors affect access to courts, the underlying politics of state judicial campaigns, and the confirmation of presidential appointments to the federal bench. The book covers historical and contemporary court perspectives on major issues, such as same-sex marriage, the Affordable Care Act, campaign financing, gun rights, free speech and religious freedom, racial discrimination, affirmative action, criminal procedure and punishments, property rights, and voting rights.
Reviews / Votes
Providing a succinct, timely overview of the complex U.S. judicial system and its impact on politics and society, this work will appeal to students and public library patrons in need of basic federal and state court information. * Library Journal *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
College/higher education
Primary & secondary/elementary & high school
Dimensions
Height: 260 mm
Width: 183 mm
Thickness: 33 mm
Weight
1177 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4408-4145-3 (9781440841453)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Christopher P. Banks
The State and Federal Courts
A Complete Guide to History, Powers, and Controversy
E-Book
01/2017
1st Edition
ABC-CLIO
€214.99
Available for download
Person
Christopher P. Banks, JD, PhD, is professor of political science at Kent State University.
Content
Introduction
Chapter One: History of the Judiciary: Federal and State
Chapter Two: Roles, Functions, and Powers
Chapter Three: Structure and Process
Chapter Four: Political Issues and Controversies of the Judicial Branch
I. Constitutional Politics and Democratic Principles
Judicial Review
Constitutional Interpretation
Judicial Activism and Restraint
Judicial Federalism
State Ballot Initiatives and Referendums
II. Judicial Access, Independence, and Accountability
Public Access to Courts
Cameras in the Courtroom
Judicial Specialization
Adverseness and Advisory Opinions
Jurisdictional Doctrines and Procedures
Judicial Independence
Court Curbing
Political Restraints on Judicial Power
III. The Politics of Judicial Selection and Removal
State Courts
Merit Plans
Partisan Judicial Elections and Political Money
Judicial Campaigns and the First Amendment
Judicial Recusal
Federal Courts
Presidential Appointments and Court Packing
The Role of the American Bar Association
Filibusters of Presidential Nominations to the Federal Bench
Blue Slips
Supreme Court Hearings
Impeachment and Removal of Federal Judges
IV. Political Controversies in State and Federal Courts
Incorporation Doctrine
Same-Sex Marriage
The Affordable Care Act
Freedom of Speech
Campaign Finance
Religious Freedom
Gun Ownership Rights and Restrictions
Property Rights
Defendants' Rights
Mandatory Sentencing
Capital Punishment
Privacy Rights
Abortion Restrictions
Racial Discrimination
Affirmative Action
Gerrymandering
Voting Rights
Glossary of Concepts, Laws, and People
Annotated Bibliography
About the Editor and Contributors
Index
Chapter One: History of the Judiciary: Federal and State
Chapter Two: Roles, Functions, and Powers
Chapter Three: Structure and Process
Chapter Four: Political Issues and Controversies of the Judicial Branch
I. Constitutional Politics and Democratic Principles
Judicial Review
Constitutional Interpretation
Judicial Activism and Restraint
Judicial Federalism
State Ballot Initiatives and Referendums
II. Judicial Access, Independence, and Accountability
Public Access to Courts
Cameras in the Courtroom
Judicial Specialization
Adverseness and Advisory Opinions
Jurisdictional Doctrines and Procedures
Judicial Independence
Court Curbing
Political Restraints on Judicial Power
III. The Politics of Judicial Selection and Removal
State Courts
Merit Plans
Partisan Judicial Elections and Political Money
Judicial Campaigns and the First Amendment
Judicial Recusal
Federal Courts
Presidential Appointments and Court Packing
The Role of the American Bar Association
Filibusters of Presidential Nominations to the Federal Bench
Blue Slips
Supreme Court Hearings
Impeachment and Removal of Federal Judges
IV. Political Controversies in State and Federal Courts
Incorporation Doctrine
Same-Sex Marriage
The Affordable Care Act
Freedom of Speech
Campaign Finance
Religious Freedom
Gun Ownership Rights and Restrictions
Property Rights
Defendants' Rights
Mandatory Sentencing
Capital Punishment
Privacy Rights
Abortion Restrictions
Racial Discrimination
Affirmative Action
Gerrymandering
Voting Rights
Glossary of Concepts, Laws, and People
Annotated Bibliography
About the Editor and Contributors
Index