| Judicial Accountability |
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| Judges take an oath of office to follow and apply the law faithfully. In certain cases, judges find themselves in a dilemma--that of faithfully applying a law that conflicts with the judge's own beliefs, principles, or sense of justice. In addition to taking an oath to uphold the law, judicial ethics and judicial precedent require a judge to follow prior case law on matters that have been decided by higher courts. More... |
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| The Discovery Process in Civil Lawsuits |
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| After a lawsuit is filed, both the plaintiff (the person suing) and the defendant (the person or company being sued) can engage in a process called discovery. Discovery is conducted before trial. The purpose of discovery is to allow a party to learn more about the pertinent facts of the case and the other party's evidence. The main tools used in the discovery process are depositions, interrogatories, and requests for documents. More... |
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| Finding Federal Regulations and Administrative Decisions |
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| Over 50 federal agencies perform regulatory functions. Most aspects of everyday life are regulated by federal agencies, including the food we eat, the clothes we wear, and the air we breathe. The body of law created by federal agencies is called administrative law. Administrative law covers the rules, regulations, and decisions of federal, state, and municipal agencies. This article discusses how to find proposed and final federal regulations, as well as how to locate the administrative orders or decisions of various federal agencies. More... |
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| Judicial Ethics |
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| One of the cornerstones of our American judicial system is the impartial administration of justice. It is crucial that a judge act fairly and impartially, avoiding any appearance of impropriety. Every state has adopted a code of judicial conduct that sets ethical guidelines for judges. All states also have judicial conduct commissions with the power to investigate, prosecute, and decide cases of judicial misconduct. There is also a code of conduct for federal judges. More... |
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| Representing Yourself in Court |
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| If you represent yourself in court and don't use an attorney, you are acting "pro se." Pro se is a Latin term that means on your own behalf. In legal terms, you are considered a self-representing party. More... |
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