Litigation correct answers -most business transactions DO NOT result in __________
-some do when a party feels that wrong has been committed or some law violated by other firms,
customers, or govt.
-if dispute cannot be resolved, result is lawsuit, have the dispute resolved by a court
-if you are a business you WILL get sued
~either because other will want your success
~or because you aren't successful
Types of Judicial Systems correct answers -Criminal: violating criminal statues
-Civil: disputes with other ind. or business
-administrative: federal of state agencies
-operated separately
-business often deals with civil and admin (rarely criminal)
Civil and Administrative Law correct answers -focus of business disputes
-not court appointed attorney
-standard is mere preponderance of evidence
-no 5th amend protection against self-incrimination
-Parties
~Plaintiff: bring about suit
~Defendant: being sued; brought in against will
Civil Court System correct answers -focus of business disputes
-Hierarchy system
~Trial
~Appellate
-Requires preponderance of evidence (lower) and super majority vote to have verdict
-no const. right to jury
Trial courts correct answers -part of civil hierarchy
-*lower* courts
-live *testimony*: determine fact and issue law
-*jury or judge* (if not jury, judge does both)
~judge determines law
~jury determines facts
-create *record*
~foundation for appeal
~record testimony and admitted evidence
-Texas has 6 _______ on two levels
-Federal has 1 basic _________
Appellate Courts correct answers -part of civil hierarchy
-*higher* courts
-take appeals from trial courts
,-*determine errors* made by lower courts
-*no jury*
~judge determines mistakes
Process of Appeal correct answers -part appeals (Appellant)
~gives notice to trial court
~designates record
-record is sent to appellate court
-Briefs prepared and filed
~Appellant files Brief (stating reasons for appeal and proof of lower court's mistake)
~Appelle files response brief stating why Appellant is incorrect
-oral argument before AC
~each person has 30 mins
-decision is not immediate; can be months, even years
Criminal Court System correct answers -court system not as important to business
-similar to Civil in structure
-same hierarchy (trial and appellate)
~one judge in trial
~multiple judges on appeal
-Burden of proof is much higher than Civil
~*beyond reasonable doubt*
~burden always on govt. prosecutor
~presumption of innocence for defendant
-Requires *unanimous* verdict
-normally *bifurcated* trial
1. Phase One: guilt innocence
2. Phase Two: Punishment
-Jury is guaranteed by Const.
Administrative Court System correct answers -court system important to business
-regulation done by administrative law
-legal issues handled by administrative courts
-very different from Criminal and Civil
Typical court system correct answers -at least one trial court or trial court
-two appellate courts
-TX is atypical
TX court system correct answers -atypical court system
-very complex due to TX Const.
~1876
~too specific
-elected judges
-uninformed voters
-Consists of:
, ~municipal
~JPC
~County Court
~County Court of Law
~District Court
~Appellate Courts
~true Appellate courts
Municipal Courts correct answers -first tier of texas trial courts
-varies for city to city
-cases within city limits only
-fine-only
-enforces city ordinances
~traffic
~noise
~trash
~building code violations
-criminal authority from State Law
~class C misdemeanor, fine-only (Minors DUI, MIPs, PIs)
-judge normally appointed by city council
-*usually not court of record*
~no court reporter
~trial de novo appeals (as if Municipal court trial didn't happen)
-if record is kept, its designated by state legislature to prevent duplicate trials
-appeals to County Court of County Court of Law
Trial De Novo correct answers term given to trials that aren't recorded
Justice of the Peace Courts correct answers -first tier of texas trial courts
-AKA small claims court (originally called "people's court," but now same as ______)
-created by TX Const.
-cover area *outside* city limits
-both civil and criminal authority
~Civil:lowest dollar cases (up to $100,000)
~criminal: Class C Mis (same as MC)
-limited to parts of the county (precincts)
-judge elected by people in precincts
~partisan elections
~4 year term
~doesn't have to be attorney
~18 years of age on Election Day
~US Citizen
-judge can also be coroner, perform weddings, and act as a magistrate
-normally not court of record (de novo)
-appeals go to CC or CCL
-small claims court