California Law

Winter 2011

January 7

Introduction to California Law

• Introduction to the federal legal system

• Introduction to the California legal system– Organization– Operation– Major legal concepts

Legal System

• FUNCTION OF GOVERNMENT

• EACH BRANCH PLAYS A ROLE IN LEGAL SYSTEM

• EXECUTIVE• LEGISLATIVE• JUDICIAL

Personnel--Federal Gov.

• Executive:– President and cabinet– U.S. Attorney General,deputies, support staff

(civil and criminal)

• Legislative– Senators– Congressmen

Cont.

• Judicial Branch• Court staff, judges, magistrates and support staff• Private attorneys and support staff

Cont. Agencies

• Numerous administrative boards and agencies such as:

• I.R.S.

• S.E.C.

• Social Security

CALIFORNIA LEGAL PERSONNEL

• EXECUTIVE

• GOVERNOR

• ATTORNEY GENERAL AND A.G. OFFICE

• LEGISLATIVE

• SENATE

• ASSEMBLY

PERSONNEL: JUDICIAL BRANCH

• JUDGES

• COMMISSIONERS

• COURT SUPPORT– CLERKS– CT. RPTR.– BAILIFF

• ATTORNEYS

• LEGAL SUPPORT STAFF– PARALEGALS– LEGAL SECY– CLERKS– OTHERS

CALIF. BOARDS AND AGENCIES

• JUDICIAL COUNCIL• STATE BAR• SECRETARY OF

STATE• DEPT. OF CORP.• DEPT. OF REAL

ESTATE• MOTOR VEH. DEPT.

• DEPT. OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS

• DEPT. OF UNEMPLOYMENT AND DISABILITY

• INSURANCE COMMISSIONER

• W.C.A.B.

LOCAL AGENCIES

• COUNTY RECORDER

• COUNTY CLERK

• LOCAL BAR ASSOC.

• DISTRICT ATTY• PUBLIC DEFENDER• COUNTY COUNSEL• CITY ATTYS• PROBATION DEPT.• P.A.S.C.C.O.

FEDERALISM

Residents of California are subject to laws of United States and the laws of the state of California.

Both the federal and state governments control

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

• EXECUTIVE--PRESIDENT AND CABINET

• LEGISLATIVE--BICAMERAL

• JUDICIAL--SUPREME COURT AND LOWER COURTS

INTERESTING WEB SITE

www.uscourts.gov

U.S. Courts

U .S . D is tric t C ou rtsTria l C ou rt

(C a lif. h as 4 d is tric ts )U .S . Tax C ou rts

U .S . C ou rts o f A p p ea l1 2 g eog rap h ica l c ircu its

cou rts o f ap p e lla te ju risd ic tion

S p ec ia l Tria l C ou rtsC la im s C ou rts

In te rn a tion a l Trad eV eteran s A p p ea ls

U .S . C ou rt o f A p p ea lsfo r F ed era l C ircu it

C ou rts o f M ilita ry R eview

U .S . C ou rto f M ilita ry A p p ea ls

U .S . S u p rem e C ou rt9 Ju s tices

P rim arily C ou rt o f A p p e lla te Ju risd ic tion

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.

UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS

• REVIEW CASES FROM DISTRICT COURTS

• COURTS OF REVIEW OR APPEAL

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURTS

• TRIAL COURTS

• 90+ DISTRICTS IN U.S.

• USUALLY ONE JUDGE EXCEPT WHERE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF STATE LAW IS IN ISSUE

• CALIFORNIA: NORTHERN, SOUTHERN, CENTRAL AND EASTERN