lawyers.com - Untitled 1

Influences Affecting Judicial Decision-Making

The independence of the judiciary is a central principle of a democracy. Judicial independence permits judges to make rulings based on legal principles instead of politics or public opinion. An independent court system allows fair and impartial...

Extrajudicial Speech and Judicial Ethics

Code of Judicial Conduct

There are codes of judicial conduct for both state and federal judges. In general, the code of judicial conduct requires a judge to uphold the integrity and independence of the judiciary,...

The Jurisdiction of a State Court

Jurisdiction refers to the power of a court to hear and decide a case. The power of a state court to hear a particular case comes from the constitution and laws of that state. For a court's decision to be legally binding, the court must have both...

Using Mediation in Workers' Compensation Appeals

Mediation is a method of alternative dispute resolution. A mediator or neutral third party helps the litigants resolve their dispute through an informal process. The mediator facilitates negotiations and helps the litigants identify issues,...

Diversity in the Courts

It is essential to public confidence in the courts to assure a racially and ethnically neutral court system. Starting in 1988, task forces were implemented in many states to address racial and ethnic discrimination issues in the courts. This...