Following a Case Through the Federal Courts

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Following a Case Through the Federal Courts
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Overview

• A case begins when a lawyer or individual files a
  formal complaint with the clerks office of
  District Court
• The party who loses in district court may ask a
  court of appeals to review the case to see if the
  judge applied the law correctly.
• The losing party in a Court of Appeals may ask
  the Supreme Court to review the case

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Court Room Participants

• Judge
• Parties
• Attorneys
• Clerk
• Court Reporter

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Types of cases

• Criminal
• Civil
• Bankruptcy

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Pretrial Activity

• Settlement
• Discovery
• Motions
• Pretrial Conference
• Jury Selection

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Trial

• Opening statement
• Plaintiff witnesses
• Defense witnesses
• Closing argument
• Jury Instructions
• Verdict

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Post-Trial

• Sentencing
• Written opinions

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Appeal

• Notice of appeal
• Written trial record
• Oral arguments
• Decision and Opinion
• Rehearing en banc
• Supreme Court