Reading Assignment for Section 1.5

Read the following subsection from our online textbook: Section 1.5: The Courts. Note: Be sure to review all pages in this section, as the content spans multiple pages.

What You Will Learn

In this section, you will explore the structure and function of state and federal courts, including the appeals process and the role of briefs, oral arguments, and appellate decisions. You’ll learn key legal concepts such as stare decisis, writ of habeas corpus, and jurisdiction, and examine how they protect individual rights and maintain consistency in the legal system. Additionally, you’ll gain practical skills for analyzing court cases by identifying legal principles, evaluating judicial reasoning, and assessing broader implications for procedural law.

Student Learning Outcomes for Section 1.5

• SLO 1: Explain the appeals process in state and federal courts, including the roles of briefs, oral arguments, and appellate decisions in shaping legal outcomes.
• SLO 2: Define and analyze key legal concepts such as stare decisis, writ of habeas corpus, and jurisdiction, emphasizing their roles in maintaining consistency and protecting individual rights within the legal system.
• SLO 3: Differentiate between binding legal holdings and non-binding dicta in court decisions, and evaluate their respective impacts on legal precedent and future rulings.
• SLO 4: Compare federal and state court jurisdictions, identifying the types of cases each handles and the processes for resolving jurisdictional disputes.
• SLO 5: Demonstrate the ability to analyze court cases by identifying legal principles, examining judicial reasoning, and assessing the broader implications of judicial decisions on procedural law.