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Chapter 5

The Role of Federal and State Law:

The Judicial System and Victims of Crime

Abstract: Understanding the role and functions of the various court systems in the United States provides victim service providers with a solid foundation for understanding the dynamics of the law. It is a complex aspect of our legal system that can be confusing and frustrating to victims when they are first exposed to it. Knowing some of the rationale for its present day structure may help victims understand the manner in which laws operate and interact.

Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this chapter, students will understand the following concepts:

1. The principle of federalism and how it affected the structure of our court system.

2. How the dual system of state and federal courts function.

3. The characteristics of the American court system.

4. How the juvenile court system functions.

Statistical Overview

• In 1992, 12,548 defendants were convicted of murder/manslaughter in state courts, and 124 defendants were sentenced for murder/manslaughter in U.S. District Courts.
  

• In 1992, 21,655 defendants were convicted of rape in state courts, and 302 defendants were sentenced for sexual offenses in U.S. District Courts.
  

• In 1992, 51,878 defendants were convicted of robbery in state courts, and 1,903 defendants were sentenced for robbery in U.S. District Courts.
  

(Reference: Felony Sentences in the United States, 1992. (1996, May). Bureau of Justice Statistics Bulletin.)

In order to understand the role of federal and state law, it is essential to have a firm grasp of the principles of how the American criminal justice system functions. There is no more confusing, frustrating, and complex environment for victims of crimes than the criminal court system. This section will provide a brief overview of the judicial system in the United States.

Historical Context: The Principle of Federalism

The court system in the United States is based upon the principle of federalism. The first Congress established a federal court system, and the individual states were permitted to continue their own judicial structure. There was general agreement among our nation's founders that individual states needed to retain significant autonomy from federal control. Under this concept of federalism, the United States developed as a loose confederation of semi-independent states having their own courts, with the federal court system acting in a very limited manner. In the early history of our nation, most cases were tried in state courts. It was only later that the federal government and the federal judiciary began to exercise jurisdiction over crimes and civil matters. Jurisdiction in this context simply means the ability of the court to enforce laws and punish individuals who violate those laws.

A Dual System of State and Federal Courts

As a result of this historical evolution, a dual system of state and federal courts exists today. Therefore, federal and state courts may have concurrent jurisdiction over specific crimes. For example, a person who robs a bank may be tried and convicted in state court for robbery, then tried and convicted in federal court for the federal offense of robbery of a federally-chartered savings institution.

Court System Performs its Duties With Little or No Supervision

Another characteristic of the American court system is that it performs its duties with little or no supervision. A Supreme Court Justice does not exercise supervision over lower court judges in the same way that a government supervisor or manager exercises control over his or her employees. The U.S. Supreme Court and the various state supreme courts exercise supervision only in the sense that they hear appellate cases from lower courts and establish certain procedures for these courts.

Specialization Occurs Primarily at the State and Local Level

A third feature of our court system is one of specialization that occurs primarily at the state and local level. In many states, courts of limited jurisdiction hear misdemeanor cases. Other state courts of general jurisdiction try felonies. Still other courts may be designated as juvenile courts and hear only matters involving juveniles. This process also occurs in certain civil courts that hear only family law matters, probate matters, housing matters, or civil cases involving damages. At the federal level, there are courts such as bankruptcy that hear only cases dealing with specific matters.

Geographic Organization of the American Court System

The fourth characteristic of the American court system is its geographic organization. State and federal courts are organized into geographic areas. In many jurisdictions these are called judicial districts and contain various levels of courts. For example, on the federal level, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has district (trial) courts that hear matters within certain specific boundaries; and an appellate court that hears all appeals from cases within that area. Several studies have been conducted regarding the difference in sentences for the same type of crime in geographically distinct courts. For example, in Iowa the average sentence for motor vehicle theft was 47 months while the average sentence for the same offense in New York was 14 months. (Pursley, 1994). This should not be taken as a criticism; rather it may reflect different social values and attitudes within specific geographic areas.

Historically each of the thirteen original states had their own unique court structure. This independence continued after the American Revolution and resulted in widespread differences among the various states, some of which still exist today. Because each state adopted its own system of courts, the consequence was a poorly planned and confusing judicial structure. As a result, there have been several reform movements whose purpose has been to streamline and modernize this system.

Many state courts can be divided into three levels:

• Trial courts
• Appellate courts
• State supreme courts

Trial courts are where criminal cases start and finish. The trial court conducts the entire series of acts that culminate in either the defendant's release or sentencing. State trial courts can be further divided into courts of:

• Limited or special jurisdiction
• Courts of general jurisdiction.

The nature and type of case determines which court will have jurisdiction.

Limited Jurisdiction

Courts which only hear and decide certain limited legal issues are courts of limited jurisdiction:

• Courts of limited jurisdiction hear and decide issues such as traffic tickets or set bail for criminal defendants.
• Typically, these courts hear certain types of minor civil or criminal cases.
• There are approximately 13,000 local courts in the United States.
• They are called county, magistrate, justice or municipal courts.
• Judges in these courts may be either appointed or elected.

In many jurisdictions these are part-time positions, and the incumbent may have another job or position in addition to serving as a judge. However, simply because they handle minor civil and criminal matters does not mean these courts do not perform important duties. Often, the only contact the average citizen will have with the judicial system occurs at this level.

In addition, courts of limited jurisdiction may hear certain types of specialized matters such as:

• Probate of wills and estates
• Divorces
• Child custody matters
• Landlord - tenant disputes
• Juvenile proceedings

These types of courts may be local courts or, depending on the state, may be courts of general jurisdiction that are designated by statute to hear and decide specific types of cases. For example, in California, a superior court is considered a court of general jurisdiction; however, certain superior courts are designated to hear only juvenile matters, thereby becoming a court of limited jurisdiction when sitting as a juvenile court.

General Jurisdiction

Courts of general jurisdiction are granted authority to hear and decide all issues that are brought before them. These are courts that normally hear all major civil or criminal cases. These courts are known by a variety of names, such as:

• Superior Courts
• Circuit Courts
• District Courts
• Courts of Common Pleas

Since they are courts of general jurisdiction, they have authority over all types of cases and controversies, and, unless otherwise geographically limited, may decide issues that occur anywhere within the state. Some larger jurisdictions such as Los Angeles or New York may have hundreds of courts of general jurisdiction within the city limits. It is important to be certain about naming of courts in each jurisdiction. For example, the New York Supreme Court is the state's trial court and its highest court is called the Superior Court. Just the reverse is true in some neighboring jurisdictions.

Typically, these courts hear civil cases involving the same type of issues that courts of limited jurisdiction hear, although the amount of damages will be higher and may reach millions.

• These courts also hear the most serious forms of criminal matters including death penalty cases.

Courts of general jurisdiction traditionally have the power to order individuals to do or refrain from doing certain acts.

• These courts may issue injunctions that prohibit performing certain acts or require individuals to do certain functions or duties.

• This authority is derived from the equity power that resides in courts of general jurisdiction.

Equity is the concept that justice is administrated according to fairness as contrasted with the strict rules of law. In early English Common Law, such separate courts of equity were known as Courts of Chancery. These early courts were not concerned with technical legal issues; rather they focused on rendering decisions or orders that were fair or equitable. In modern times, the power of these courts has been merged with courts of general jurisdiction, allowing them to rule on matters that require fairness as well as the strict application of the law.

• The power to issue temporary restraining orders (TROs) in spousal abuse cases comes from the equitable powers of the court.
  

Appellate Jurisdiction

Appellate jurisdiction is reserved for courts that hear appeals from both limited and general jurisdiction courts.

• These courts do not hold trials or hear evidence.
• They decide matters of law and issue formal written decisions or "opinions."

There are two classes of appellate courts:

• Intermediate, or Courts of Appeals
• Final, or Supreme Courts
  

Courts of Appeals

The intermediate appellate courts are known as courts of appeals. Approximately half the states have designated intermediate appellate courts.

• These courts may be divided into judicial districts that hear all appeals within their district.

• They will hear and decide all issues of law that are raised on appeal in both civil and criminal cases.

• Since these courts deal strictly with legal or equitable issues, there is no jury to decide factual disputes.

• These courts accept the facts as determined by the trial courts.

• Intermediate appellate courts have the authority to reverse the decision of the lower courts, and to send the matter back with instructions to retry the case in accordance with their opinion.

• They also may uphold the decision of the lower court.

In either situation, the party who loses the appeal at this level may file an appeal with the next higher appellate court.

Supreme Courts

Final appellate courts are the highest state appellate courts. They may be known as supreme courts or courts of last resort. There may be five, seven or nine justices sitting on this court depending on the state. This court has jurisdiction to hear and decide issues dealing with all matters decided by lower courts, including ruling on state constitutional or statutory issues. This decision is binding on all other courts within the state. Once this court had decided an issue, the only appeal left is to file in the federal court system.

While state courts had their origin in historical accident and custom, federal courts were created by the U.S. Constitution. Section 1 of Article III established the federal court system with the words providing for "one Supreme Court, and . . . such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish." From this beginning, Congress has engaged in a series of acts that has resulted in today's federal court system. The Judiciary Act of 1789 created the U.S. Supreme Court and established district courts and circuit courts of appeals.

Federal District Courts

Federal District Courts are the lowest level of the federal court system. These courts have original jurisdiction over all cases involving a violation of federal statutes. These district courts handle thousands of criminal cases per year.

Federal Circuit Courts

Federal Circuit Courts of Appeals are the intermediate appellate level courts within the federal system. These courts are called circuit courts because the federal system is divided into 11 circuits. A Twelfth Circuit Court of Appeals serves the Washington D.C. area. These courts hear all criminal appeals from the District Courts and habeas corpus appeals from state court convictions. These appeals are usually heard by panels of three of the appellate court judges rather than by all the judges of each circuit.

U.S. Supreme Court

The United States Supreme Court is the highest court in the land. It has the capacity for judicial review of all lower court decisions, as well as state and federal statutes. By exercising this power, the Supreme Court determines what laws and lower court decisions conform to the mandates set forth in the U.S. Constitution. The concept of judicial review was first referred to by Alexander Hamilton in the Federalist Papers, where he described the Supreme Court as ensuring that the will of the people will be supreme over the will of the legislature. (The Supreme Court of the United States, no date). This concept was firmly and finally established in our system when the Supreme Court asserted its power of judicial review in the case of Marbury v. Madison (1803).

Although it is primarily an appellate court, the Supreme Court has original jurisdiction in the following cases:

• Cases between the United States and a state.
• Cases between states, and cases involving foreign ambassadors,

ministers and consuls.

• Cases between a state and a citizen of another state or country.

The court hears appeals from lower courts including the various State Supreme Courts. If four justices of the U.S. Supreme Court vote to hear a case, the court will issue a Writ of Certiorari. This is an order to a lower court to send the records of the case to the Supreme Court for review. The court meets on the first Monday of October and usually remains in session until June. The court may review any case it deems worthy of review but it actually hears very few of the cases filed with it. Of approximately 5000 appeals each year, the court agrees to review about 200, but may not issue an opinion on each case.

Victim Cases at Supreme Court Level

The Supreme Court handles perhaps the broadest conceivable array of legal and social issues, among these are victim issues. Recent victim-related Supreme Court decisions have addressed the following topics:

• Victim Impact Statements
• Hate Crimes
• Child Victims of Crime
• Notoriety-for-Profit for Perpetrators

An in-depth discussion of these issues will be provided in Chapter 6.

Because of the significant increase of importance of juvenile crime in our society, an overview of juvenile courts within the state and federal court system is important. While there are some differences, both federal and state systems were initially founded upon the concept of rehabilitation of young offenders. Additionally, both systems wanted to shield juveniles from public scrutinies; therefore, each contained provisions for keeping matters confidential.

The Federal Court Juvenile System

When Congress addressed the issue of juvenile offenders, it established two alternatives for the prosecution of juveniles:

• The juvenile can waive his or her rights to be treated as a juvenile.
• The juvenile can have the matter treated as a civil proceeding called juvenile adjudication.

If the court finds that the juvenile committed the offense, he or she faces a series of federal sanctions including incarceration. There is a federal preference for state prosecution of juveniles since there is no separate federal juvenile court judge or juvenile detention system. If a juvenile is adjudicated to be a delinquent, he or she is placed in a state juvenile facility. The federal government contracts with states for this service.

Until the passage of the Crime Control Act of 1990, the federal government only prosecuted juveniles who committed crimes on federal reservations, where the states had no jurisdiction. The Crime Control Act added two other categories of juveniles who fall under federal juvenile court jurisdiction: juveniles who commit felony crimes of violence and/or those juveniles involved in certain drug felonies. Similar to most state court systems, federal law allows for the transfer or certification of a juvenile to "adult status." This procedure allows juveniles to be tried as adults in either the state or federal court system.

Under federal law, juveniles are those persons under 21 who commit a federal offense before their eighteenth birthday. A federal judge acts as the federal equivalent of the state juvenile court judge. The proceedings are confidential with no members of the public or press in attendance. federal jurisdiction in juvenile matters is established where:

• The state does not have jurisdiction
• The state does not have programs or services available for juveniles
• The offense charged is a violent felony or drug offense and there is a substantial federal interest in the case

A juvenile proceeding is initiated by the filing of an information. In most cases, the U.S. Attorney must file a certification stating there are grounds for federal jurisdiction. The hearing in federal court is very similar to a court trial.

The State Court Juvenile System

The separate handling of juvenile justice matters has roots throughout history. Even in earlier periods in America, certain specific juvenile accommodations were in use. However, the present day American state-level juvenile court system dates back to 1899 when the state of Illinois passed the Illinois Juvenile Court Act. It was at that time that the juvenile court system as we know it today came into existence (Fox, 1972). This statute separated the juvenile court system from the adult criminal system. It labeled minors who violated the law as "delinquents" rather than criminals, and required that juvenile court judges determine what "is in the best interests of the minor" in rendering their decision.

The juvenile court system is guided by five basic principles:

1. The state is the ultimate parent of all children within its jurisdiction, the doctrine of parens patrea; and has the power to step into the parental role in loco parentis.

2. Children are worth saving and the state should utilize non-punitive measures to do so.

3. Children should be nurtured and not stigmatized by the court process.

4. Each child is different and justice should be tailored to meet individual needs and requirements.

5. The use of noncriminal sanctions are necessary to give primary consideration to the needs of the child (Cadwell, 1966, p. 358).

It is important to note that each state determines its own jurisdictional age of "minors" handled by its juvenile system. Most involve children who are under 18 years of age. A few states use higher ages, up to 21 usually for specific issues. Three states cover children up to 15 years of age, adjudicating their 16-year-olds in adult criminal courts.

While these principles were originally adopted for delinquents or minors who committed criminal acts, they have been broadly applied to proceedings involving children who are victims of abuse. Juvenile courts have jurisdiction over three types of minors:

• Delinquents
• Status offenders
• Dependent children

Delinquents are minors who have committed criminal offenses. Status offenders engage in acts that are not problematic if committed by an adult, such as when minors are truant from school, run away from home or are considered incorrigible. Dependent children are those who are in need of state intervention because of abuse or neglect by their caretakers.

Abuse and Neglect Proceedings

While the procedure is basically the same for delinquents as well as dependent minors, the juvenile court process dealing with children who are victims of abuse or neglect is of particular importance to victim service providers:

• This process is normally initiated by filing a petition with the court.
• A petition is a formal pleading that alleges that the parents or custodians endangered the health or welfare of the child.
• The petition may allege neglect, physical, emotional or sexual abuse of the child and gives the juvenile court authority to act.

Detention Hearings in Child Maltreatment

Once the petition is filed, many jurisdictions hold a show cause or detention hearing. This hearing is usually conducted within 24 to 48 hours after filing the petition or the emergency removal of the child. The detention hearing requires child protective services or police to pro-duce evidence justifying the emergency removal of the child, or to present evidence that would allow the court to order the removal of the child if he or she is still in the custody of the parents. The parents may also admit or deny the allegations contained in the petition at this hearing.

• If they admit the allegations, the court orders child protective services to conduct an investigation to determine where the child should be placed as a result of the admissions by the parents.
• If the parents deny the allegations, the court sets a date for an adjudicatory or jurisdictional hearing.

Pending this hearing, the court may order the child temporarily placed in a living arrangement outside the home.

Child Abuse and Neglect Adjudicatory or Jurisdictional Hearing

An adjudicatory or jurisdictional hearing is used to determine if there is sufficient evidence to determine that the allegations in the petition are true. At the conclusion of this hearing, the court will render its decision. If the petition is upheld, the court sets a date for a dispositional hearing. If the petition is not upheld, the child is returned to the parents and the case is dismissed.

• During the adjudicatory hearing, the state presents evidence to support its claim that the child has been abused.

• This may take the form of having the child testify to the incident, or experts employed by the state may render their opinion regarding the facts surrounding the case.

• The state is represented by a juvenile prosecutor, state's advocate, county counsel or other governmental attorney.

• The parents have a right to cross examine witnesses and present any evidence they desire in rebuttal to the state's evidence.

• At the end of the hearing, both parties may present arguments in favor of their position.

The burden of proof to uphold the abuse or neglect petition is the same as a civil case. In civil trials, the plaintiff has the burden of proving the case by a preponderance of the evidence. This is normally defined as slightly more than fifty percent. A criminal case requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt. This is not proof beyond all doubt, but it is proof of the "material facts to a moral certainty" that they did occur.

• In juvenile dependency cases, in order to remove the child from the custody of his or her parents, some jurisdictions require proof by clear and convincing evidence. This is more than a preponderance of the evidence, but less than beyond a reasonable doubt (Otterson, 1979).

Once the adjudicatory or jurisdictional hearing is concluded, the next hearing to occur is the dispositional hearing. This hearing is to determine where the child should be placed. The court will decide whether the child should be immediately returned to his or her parents or placed in an out of home environment for a period of time. The guiding principle in this hearing is "the best interests of the child". If the court orders the child placed outside the home, it may schedule periodic reviews to determine if or when the child will be reunited with the parents. Typically, a specific plan regarding placement is established and monitored.

From the beginning of the intervention process until the final dispositional hearing and beyond, every party in the action has certain rights. The parents and the child each has distinct rights which must be observed and protected. These rights include:

• Notice
• An opportunity to be heard and present evidence
• The right to confront and cross-examine witnesses
• Effective representation by an attorney

In a dependency hearing, the rights of a child include appointing an attorney who will speak on behalf of the child. This attorney must represent what he or she believes is in the best interests of the child regardless of what CPS or the parents advocate believes is appropriate. In some jurisdictions this is a government-funded attorney; in others, it is a private attorney appointed by the court to represent the child. Depending on the case, the attorney may side with the parents and argue for return of the child to their care, or the attorney may take the position that it is in the best interests of the child to be removed from the custody of the parents. Even if the child is removed temporarily from the custody of his or her parents, the child has a right to re-unification efforts after a reasonable time.

Many jurisdictions additionally engage Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs), or similarly trained (typically non-attorney) individuals. The role of these child advocates is to present to the court an independent analysis of what is best for the child. This is particularly important; as the child's legal representative, the court appointed lawyer must forward the child's wishes when an objective view would be to the contrary. For example, the lawyer may decide that they must vigorously advocate a juvenile's wish to return home, when an independent child advocate may determine that this is not actually in the child's best interest.

During dependency hearings, parents have a right to notice of the hearing, an opportunity to be present at that hearing and to be represented by an attorney. They may present any evidence they desire to rebut the charges. If the child is removed from their custody they have the right in most jurisdictions to a re-unification plan that will allow them to regain custody of the child once they have finished treatment or counseling.

Victims' Rights in Juvenile Delinquency Matters

Among the most rapidly changing areas in the victim assistance field is the extension of victim rights in juvenile delinquency proceedings. Historically, juvenile courts have been closed proceedings and records have been generally confidential. Even the victim was unable to learn much, if anything, about the progress of a case against the juvenile who offended against them. Juvenile delinquency proceedings are analogous, in many ways, to adult criminal trials, with all the typical obstacles to victim participation. The juvenile court's privacy provisions exacerbate these obstacles tremendously.

Many states have, or are, considering rolling back their previously hard and fast confidentiality statutes. States like Connecticut, Missouri, and Arizona have gone further to provide for victim rights and accommodations in juvenile courts that mirror those in adult courts. This provides fertile ground for expansion of victim advocacy and assistance efforts to a previously underserved population, victims of juvenile crime.

Definition of Terms

Adjudicatory or Jurisdictional Hearing: Used to determine if there is sufficient evidence to find the allegations in the petition are true.

Delinquents: Those minors who have committed criminal offenses.

Status Offenders: Minors who are truant from school, run away from home or are considered incorrigible.

Dependent Children: Those who are in need of state intervention because of neglect or abuse by their caretakers.

Detention Hearing: Requires child protective services or police to produce evidence justifying the emergency removal of the child or present evidence that would allow the court to order the removal of the child if he or she is still in the custody of the parents.

Dispositional Hearing: To determine where the child should be placed.

Parens Patrea: Meaning "the country is the parent," this doctrine is fundamental to the juvenile court's power to decide on placements, treatment and other determinations regarding children.

Petition: A formal pleading that alleges that the parents or custodians endangered the health or welfare of the child.

Writ of Certiorari: An order to a lower court to send the records of the case to the Supreme Court for review

THE DUAL SYSTEM OF COURTS IN AMERICA

FEDERAL COURTS

STATE COURTS

FEDERAL JUDICIAL SYSTEM

Self Examination Chapter 5

The Role of Federal and State Law:

The Judicial System and Victims of Crime

1) Describe how the federal and state courts function.

2) What are courts of limited and general jurisdiction?

3) What are the principles that the juvenile justice system was founded upon?

4) Describe the cases that the U.S. Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over.

References

Cadwell, R. (1996). The juvenile court: Its development and some major problems. Juvenile delinquency: A book of readings. New York: John Wiley & Sons.

Fox, S. (1972). Modern juvenile justice: Cases and materials. St. Paul, MI: West.

Marbury v. Madison, 1 Cranch 137 (1803).

Otterson, D.V. (1979). Dependency and termination proceedings in California-Standards of proof, Hastings Law Journal, 30, 1815-1845.

Pursley, R. (1994). Introduction to criminal justice (6th ed.). New York: MacMillan.

The Supreme Court of the United States. (no date). Washington, DC: Government Printing Office.

Suggested Reading

American Bar Association. (1987). Law and the Courts: A handbook about United States law and court procedures, Chicago: Author.

Siegal and Senna. (1994). Juvenile justice. St. Paul, MI: West.

Territo, Halsted, & Bromley. (1992). Crime and justice in America: A human perspective. St. Paul, MI: West.

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