Insights on Law & Society:  The Role of Courts in Our Constitutional Democracy

Volume 12, no. 1, Fall 2011

This 32-page issue of Insights includes:

The Federal Courts in Our Constitutional Democracy

Bruce A. Ragsdale provides an overview of the establishment and evolution of the federal judiciary, and offers suggestions for teaching about the judicial branch of American government.

Time Line: Development of the American Judiciary

This time line traces the evolution of the American judiciary—from circuit riding to Court TV.

Turning to Problem-Solving Courts

Jane Pribek Salem explores how a veterans’ court in Buffalo, New York, is part of a growing trend of using problem-solving courts to resolve certain cases.

Perspectives: Do Courts Have Adequate Resources to Face Today’s Challenges?

Experts from the field consider the question of whether courts have adequate resources, and the implications of certain issues such as underfunding.

The Verdict on Television

Kimberlianne Podlas discusses how television shows shape the public’s views about courts, judges, and the judicial process.

Law Review: Separation of Powers Within a Passport?

Zivotofsky v. Clinton Steve D. Schwinn explains how a seemingly bureaucratic dispute over a line on a passport is actually the tip of the iceberg for one of the most important separation-of-powers cases to go before the Supreme Court in years.

In Depth: Understanding Jury Service

The role of the citizen juror in the court system is outlined in the Constitution, but what does it mean to serve on a jury? Learn more about what jury service entails, and how juries work.