Web Sites of the Week - Introduction to the U.S. Legal System
Check back each week for a new list of interesting and informative Web sites selected by the Charleston County Public Library.
Click here for Archived Web Sites of the Week
What is the difference between a civil and criminal case? What kinds of cases are heard in federal court and state court? If you're in a lawsuit, what should you expect? Get answers to these questions and more in this overview of the U.S. legal system. Choose a link to get started.
Legal System Basics -- The role of courts; includes a helpful glossary.
State Court Systems -- An in-depth look at state courts: structure, power, and proceedings.
The Federal Court System -- The federal court system up-close, including the U.S. Supreme Court.
Civil Court Cases – Stages of a civil case, courtroom players, and more.
Lawsuits: A Practical Guide -- What to expect if you are involved in a lawsuit.
Criminal Court Cases -- The basics of criminal law, stages of a criminal case, sentencing options, and more.
Introduction to the U.S. Legal System is a selected bibliography from the Goodson Law Library at Duke University.
