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| | In one of the most stunning political upsets in American history. ratification of ERA was halted at 35 States, 3 short of the 38 States needed to become part of the Constitution. Congress even extended the deadline for ratification from 1979 to 1982, but no additional States passed it, and a few States even rescinded their prior passage of it. On June 30, 1982, the last day of the ratification period set by Congress, Stop ERA group held a victory party in D.C. - which your instructor attended. | | In one of the most stunning political upsets in American history. ratification of ERA was halted at 35 States, 3 short of the 38 States needed to become part of the Constitution. Congress even extended the deadline for ratification from 1979 to 1982, but no additional States passed it, and a few States even rescinded their prior passage of it. On June 30, 1982, the last day of the ratification period set by Congress, Stop ERA group held a victory party in D.C. - which your instructor attended. |
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| | == Applying the Bill of Rights == | | == Applying the Bill of Rights == |
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| | == Federal Cases == | | == Federal Cases == |
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| − | You may recall that there are two general types of cases in federal court: "diversity" cases (between citizens of different states, with the amount in dispute more than $75,000) and cases that arise under federal law (e.g., criminal and civil rights cases). Here is 2011 data about the types of cases filed in federal court (U.S. District Court):<ref>http://www.uscourts.gov/uscourts/Statistics/JudicialBusiness/2011/JudicialBusiness2011.pdf</ref> | + | You may recall that there are two general types of cases in federal court: "diversity" cases (between citizens of different states, with the amount in dispute more than $75,000) and cases that arise under federal law (e.g., criminal and civil rights cases). Here is 2011 data about the types of cases filed in federal court (U.S. District Court):<ref name="Courts"/> |
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| | {| class="wikitable" | | {| class="wikitable" |
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| | Americans have a respect for the “day in court.” In the old days, someone who felt he was wronged would challenge his opponent to a duel. Within days they would meet at dawn somewhere and try to kill each other, often leaving one dead. That practice was stopped by prosecuting the person who survived for murder. Now this type of dispute is resolved by one person suing the other. Win or lose, at the end each side feels some relief for having their “day in court” to vent their grievance. | | Americans have a respect for the “day in court.” In the old days, someone who felt he was wronged would challenge his opponent to a duel. Within days they would meet at dawn somewhere and try to kill each other, often leaving one dead. That practice was stopped by prosecuting the person who survived for murder. Now this type of dispute is resolved by one person suing the other. Win or lose, at the end each side feels some relief for having their “day in court” to vent their grievance. |
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| − | Trials are more common in state court than in federal court. In federal court today, fewer than 1% of cases reach a trial.<ref>http://www.uscourts.gov/uscourts/Statistics/JudicialBusiness/2011/JudicialBusiness2011.pdf</ref> Federal cases are often settled or disposed of without a trial. | + | Trials are more common in state court than in federal court. In federal court today, fewer than 1% of cases reach a trial.<ref name="Courts">http://www.uscourts.gov/uscourts/Statistics/JudicialBusiness/2011/JudicialBusiness2011.pdf</ref> Federal cases are often settled or disposed of without a trial. |
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| | == Appellate Court == | | == Appellate Court == |