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    The Legal Profession in The USA

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    This document provides an overview of the legal profession and system in the United States. It defines the legal profession and describes the two levels of law in the US - federal and state law. It then explains the various roles in the US legal system such as judges, attorneys, prosecutors, and juries as well as the qualifications and responsibilities for each.

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    The Legal Profession in The USA

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    838 views17 pages
    This document provides an overview of the legal profession and system in the United States. It defines the legal profession and describes the two levels of law in the US - federal and state law. It then explains the various roles in the US legal system such as judges, attorneys, prosecutors, and juries as well as the qualifications and responsibilities for each.

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    This document provides an overview of the legal profession and system in the United States. It defines the legal profession and describes the two levels of law in the US - federal and state law. It then explains the various roles in the US legal system such as judges, attorneys, prosecutors, and juries as well as the qualifications and responsibilities for each.

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    Download as pptx, pdf, or txt
    838 views17 pages

    The Legal Profession in The USA

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    More Learn
    This document provides an overview of the legal profession and system in the United States. It defines the legal profession and describes the two levels of law in the US - federal and state law. It then explains the various roles in the US legal system such as judges, attorneys, prosecutors, and juries as well as the qualifications and responsibilities for each.

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    MOLDOVA STATE UNIVERSITY

    FACULTY OF LAW

    Subject :The legal


    profession in the USA

    ELABORATED BY COTOGOI VASILE

    Lets make a dinifinition


    Legal profession:the body
    of individuals qualified to
    practice law in a particular
    jurisdiction

    Law in the USA


    Two levels of law
    Federal law
    Originates
    with the
    Constitutio
    n

    State law
    Every state
    have its
    own
    constitutio
    n

    Judges in the USA


    Chief Justice of the USA
    Presides the Supreme Court.

    Head of the Judicial Branch of the federal


    government.
    Nominated by the President of the USA and
    serves until retirement, death or
    impeachment.

    Associate justices of the


    Supreme Court
    Associate justices of the Supreme
    Court
    8 of them
    Elected by the President
    Serve for life
    While Deliberating, seniority is important
    Retired Associate Justices

    Court of Appeal Justices


    No entire cases nor jury, just subject
    of appeal.
    3 or 5 of them consider the appeal
    and make a judgement.
    They can: dismiss the appeal or allow
    it.

    District Court Judges:


    Number set by the
    Congress
    First instance/trial court
    For a life term
    Appointed by the
    President

    Justice of the peace

    Handle the great mass of cases


    Elected/appointed
    Minor civil matters, misdemeanor and petty
    criminal cases, officiate at weddings

    Attorneys in the USA


    United States legal system does NOT draw a
    distinction between barristers and solicitors.
    Historically, a distinction was made, and a
    separate barrister existed in certain states,
    called counselor.
    Attorneys specializing in court procedure, are
    called trial attorneys.

    Non-trial attorneys
    are sometimes
    called
    transactional
    lawyers or
    corporate
    lawyers.
    Responsible for the
    police investigation,
    guarantor of the
    protection of the
    defendants rights, fixes
    charges.

    The District Attorney (D.A.) is


    a lawyer in the U.S. who works
    for the state and prosecutes
    people on behalf of it. There are
    also defense attorneys in
    America who act on behalf of
    their clients.

    Types of lawyers in the USA


    Attorney-at-law: Officer of a
    court of law legally qualified to
    prosecute and defend actions in
    legal proceedings.

    Attorney-in-fact: Agent who


    conducts business under
    authority that is controlled and
    limited by a written document
    called a letter, or power, of
    attorney granted by the principal.

    Power of attorney:
    Authorization to act on
    someone elses behalf in a
    legal or business matter.
    Attorney General: Chief
    legal advisor to the state
    government and the states
    chief law enforcement
    lawyer.

    Attorney General of the


    U.S.A.: Head of the U.S.
    Department of Justice
    concerned with legal affairs
    and is the chief law
    enforcement officer of the
    U.S. government. Also, chief
    lawyer of the U.S.
    government.
    Marshal: assists with court
    security and prisoner
    transport, serves arrest
    warrants and seeks
    fugitives

    Counselor at law: One


    who advises or represents
    others in legal matters.

    Solicitor General: Argue


    for the Government of the
    United States in front of the
    Supreme Court of the U.S.,
    when the government is
    party to a case.

    Bailiff: Peace officer


    providing court security.

    Prosecutor: Chief legal


    representative of the
    prosecution.

    The jury in the USA


    Grand Jury

    Trial by Jury

    It determines whether there is


    enoughevidencefor atrial. Grand
    juries carry out this duty by
    examining evidence and issuing
    indictments, or by investigating
    allegedcrimes.
    12-23 members.
    It has the power to call witnesses
    to give evidence.

    Its a fundamental part of the


    American justice system.
    Every person accused of a crime
    punishable by incarceration for
    more than six months has a
    constitutional right to a trial by
    jury.
    12 members.
    The majority of U.S.criminalcases
    are not concluded with a jury
    verdict, but rather byplea
    bargain >>> Waiver of jury trial
    >> Bench trial.

    Questions
    What is the legal profession?
    Who is the judge?
    What is the function of the jury?

    Be you never so
    high but the law is

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