The State and Federal Courts: A Complete Guide to History, Powers, and Controversy

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. • Presents a broad and detailed perspective on law and politics that enables students and laypeople to analyze the judicial process and the role that state and federal courts play in American society • Comprehensively surveys the myriad contemporary issues of law and politics that affect the scope and application of social and public policies • Supplies selected primary source documents that give readers the opportunity to view key judicial documents firsthand • Includes a glossary of terms and annotated bibliography that facilitate a complete comprehension of the organization, structure, and politics of state and federal courts