| Drug Courts |
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| Drug-related crimes are widespread, and specialized courts have been set up to deal with drug cases. Drugs courts recognize the connection between addiction and criminal behavior. Many addicts commit crimes to get money to support their drug habits. Drug courts use a therapeutic justice model, which includes treatment services to address defendants' substance abuse problems. Almost all states currently have drug courts, and some states have set up juvenile drug courts to handle delinquency cases involving juveniles with substance abuse issues.More... |
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| Alternative Dispute Resolution/Mediation in Appellate Courts |
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| In the 1970s settlement conferences were used in the appellate courts in response to the increasing number of appeals that were being filed. Settlement conferences had mixed results. In the 1990s, appellate courts began using mediation conferences to encourage the settlement of civil cases on appeal. The underlying assumption is that all cases do not need full appellate review by the appellate court. More... |
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| Hung Juries |
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| The United States Constitution guarantees all criminal defendants a right to a trial by a jury of their peers. A criminal jury consists of 12 people. There is also a constitutional right to a jury trial in certain types of civil cases. The jury in a civil case usually contains 6 to 12 people. If the jurors cannot agree on a verdict, the jury is said to be a "hung jury" or a "deadlocked jury." If a jury deadlocks, the result is a mistrial. More... |
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| Powers of Attorney |
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| A power of attorney is a legal document in which a person (called the principal) delegates legal authority to another person (called the agent). The power of attorney gives the agent authority to make decisions for the principal in financial, property, and other legal matters. Most states specify the proper legal form for a power of attorney, and some legislatures have approved statutory forms for powers of attorney. Generally the principal's signature on a power of attorney form must be witnessed by a Notary Public.
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| Paralegals |
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| Paralegals, also called legal assistants, perform substantive legal work under the supervision of an attorney. They perform a variety of duties that in the past were handled by attorneys. The attorney has ultimate responsibility for any legal work, and paralegals are not allowed to engage in the practice of law. They cannot give legal advice or present cases in court.More... |
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