New York Paralegal Blog

Ever watch a legal drama and wonder how a case makes it all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court? It's a long and winding road, and very few cases complete the journey. For those that do, it's a process that can take years, involving multiple courts and intense legal strategy. Let's break down the typical path a legal matter takes from a local courthouse to the nation's highest court, using a real-life example to light the way. Step 1: The Lawsuit Begins in a Trial Court Every legal dispute starts in a trial court. This is the court you're probably most familiar with—the one with the judge, jury, witnesses, and evidence. In the federal system, this is called a U.S. District Court. For matters concerning state law, it begins in a state trial court. Here, both sides present their arguments, and the court makes a decision. A judge or jury determines the facts of the case and applies the relevant law to reach a verdict. Step 2: The Appeal to an Intermediate Court What hap...

U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Department of Education, and Federal Bureau of Investigation Collaborate on Joint Effort On Friday, April 16, 2010, the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Department of Education, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation will release a study of targeted violence incidents on U.S. campuses of higher learning. The June 2007 Report to the President on Issues Raised by the Virginia Tech Tragedy included a recommendation that the Secret Service, Department of Education, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation explore the issue of violence at institutions of higher education. This collaborative effort examines the scope of the problem of targeted violence at U.S. institutions.