It is often said that the United States does not have two systems of courts (i.e., State and Federal). Rather, it is said that the United States has 51, because each State has its own system, plus the Federal system. Discuss two pros and two cons of our current court system and then detail how having 51 "systems" may impact the idea of equality under the court of law in your opinion.Be sure to use resources to back up your opinion.

Reference:

Topic: Introduction to the U.S. Court System & Jurisdiction

• Readings 7.1, 7.2

The U.S. court system is the only like its kind in the world. Understanding how the system operates and how jurisdiction works will add to your overall understanding of the courts component of the criminal justice system.

Topic: Structure of the Courts: Dual Court & Federal Court System

• Reading 7.3

Understanding the structure of the courts will help you understand the foundational elements put in place to distribute power within the courts system. This reading will help you understand the dual court and federal court system and why the court system is set up as it is.

Topic: Structure of the Courts: State and Trial Courts

• Readings 7.4, 7.5

Each state has its own structure of courts. These readings will introduce you to the structure of state court systems and the hierarchy within state courts. You will also learn about trial courts and the principle of orality, which requires that the jury (or judge) considers only evidence that was developed, presented, and received into the recording during a trial when determining guilt or innocence. Understanding trial courts and this principle is fundamental to considering the constitutionality of a court proceeding.