In This Unit, You Are Studying The Judicial Branch Of ✓ Solved

In this unit, you are studying the judicial branch of

In this unit, you are studying the judicial branch of government and the rules that apply to all cases that are filed with a court, such as jurisdiction and the justiciability doctrine. With these rules in mind, analyze the following fact patterns.

Billy, a resident of Dallas, Texas, was having trouble paying his bills. Billy, along with his best friend Edward, decided that they would rob a bank in neighboring Wichita Falls to raise some funds. During the robbery, things went horribly wrong, and Billy and Edward ended up taking a hostage and driving to nearby Randlett, Oklahoma, where they took refuge in Edward’s grandmother’s home. Both Billy and Edward eventually were apprehended in Randlett, and the hostage was released. Which court would possess jurisdiction over this case—state or federal? Explain your answer.

Newlyweds Malia and Kevin were honeymooning in Hawaii. They were on their way to a Hawaiian luau when they were rear-ended by a local resident who lived in Honolulu. Malia and Kevin were both hospitalized and required extensive surgery for back and neck injuries. Malia and Kevin wish to sue the local resident. Which court would possess jurisdiction over their cases—state or federal? Explain your answer.

Jane recently discovered that she is pregnant. When she shared the happy news with her coworkers at a local law firm, everyone was overjoyed—especially her good friend, Chiquita. Unfortunately, the very next week, Jane was fired from her position, despite receiving stellar annual reviews. Her supervisor said that they were downsizing because they had lost a big case. Jane believes that she was fired because she is pregnant. Jane does not want to call any attention to her firing, so she has decided not to do anything about the firing; however, Jane’s friend Chiquita, who is a paralegal, is furious with the attorney. She has decided to file the case on behalf of her friend, Jane. In what court would this case be filed—state or federal? Would Chiquita face any problems with filing the lawsuit? If so, what? Explain your answer.

In a 2–3-page paper, answer the questions associated with each fact pattern, and also complete the following: Identify the federal district in which you reside and the specific district, such as the Northern District of Alabama, the Middle District of Alabama, or the Southern District of Alabama. Identify the branch of government that created these lower courts. Review the Web site for your local state circuit court and your local federal district court, and provide the citation to each.

Paper For Above Instructions

The judicial branch of government plays a critical role in the interpretation and application of laws within the United States. Central to this understanding is the concept of jurisdiction, which determines the authority of a court to hear and decide cases. This paper will analyze three distinct fact patterns to determine the appropriate jurisdiction—state or federal—while also addressing specific legal issues that arise within each scenario. Furthermore, it will identify the federal district in which the author resides and review the courts relevant to these cases.

Fact Pattern 1: Billy and Edward's Bank Robbery

In the case involving Billy and Edward, jurisdiction must be analyzed based on the nature of the crime committedduring the bank robbery. Since the robbery occurred in Texas, both state and federal jurisdictions could potentially apply. However, federal jurisdiction may be invoked because bank robbery is a federal offense under Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 1951. This section covers robbery and dangerous weapons, allowing federal authorities to intervene in cases that affect interstate commerce, such as a robbery occurring in a bank.

Moreover, the taking of a hostage and the subsequent flight to Oklahoma may extend federal jurisdiction due to the involvement of crossing state lines. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) would have authority over the case, categorizing it as a federal crime. Therefore, the case against Billy and Edward would likely be prosecuted in federal court due to the nature of their unlawful actions and the federal laws they are accused of violating.

Fact Pattern 2: Malia and Kevin's Accident

In the scenario involving Malia and Kevin, they were rear-ended by a local resident in Honolulu, Hawaii. Since both parties are residents of Hawaii and the incident occurred within the state, the appropriate jurisdiction for this case is the state court. Typically, personal injury cases arising from vehicular accidents are tried in state courts as they predominantly concern state law.

Unless there is diversity of citizenship (e.g., if Malia and Kevin were from different states than the defendant) or the case involves a federal question, the federal court does not have jurisdiction here. In this case, Malia and Kevin, as the plaintiffs, will file their lawsuit against the local resident in state court where the incident occurred, seeking compensation for their injuries sustained during the accident.

Fact Pattern 3: Jane's Employment Termination

Jane’s case of wrongful termination presents a unique set of legal issues involving potential claims under both state and federal law. Given that Jane believes she was fired due to her pregnancy, she may have grounds to file a claim under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, which is a federal law under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This adds federal jurisdiction to her potential case.

However, Jane's friend Chiquita faces significant challenges in filing the lawsuit on behalf of Jane. Generally, non-lawyers cannot represent others in court, as it is considered the practice of law. This limitation presents a major hurdle, as Chiquita, despite her intentions, would likely need to either convince Jane to pursue the claim herself or engage a licensed attorney to formally file the lawsuit in appropriate jurisdiction.

Identification of Federal District and Court Citations

The author resides in the Northern District of Texas, specifically the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas. This district, created under Article III of the U.S. Constitution, was established by Congress to handle federal cases. The relevant websites for local court citations are as follows:

Conclusion

In conclusion, jurisdiction is key to understanding which court is applicable for different legal cases. For the scenarios presented—Billy and Edward’s robbery, Malia and Kevin’s accident, and Jane’s wrongful termination—the analyses reveal a mix of state and federal courts in play. Relevant factors guiding these decisions include the nature of the offenses, the parties involved, and specific legal protections under both state and federal laws. Understanding jurisdictional parameters better equips individuals for navigating the judicial system effectively.

References

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