Court System, Part 4
Question 1: Describe the role of the bailiff.
Answer 1: The bailiff, or sheriff, is a security officer of the court. The role is often taken by a deputy or marshal. The job of the bailiff is to announce the arrival of the judge and maintain discipline in the courtroom. In some instances, the job extends to keeping track of various attorneys and witnesses, as well as giving directions and information to the defendants. A bailiff is generally empowered to make arrests and serve as a police officer within the courthouse, but not necessarily out of it. The concept of the bailiff originated in medieval Europe.
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Question 2: Discuss the U.S. Courts of Appeal.
Answer 2: There are 13 United States Courts of Appeal. They hear cases appealed from the U.S. District Courts as well as from certain other courts that rule on specialized matters, such as international trade. Each of the 13 courts represents a circuit covering a geographic region, with all 13 courts collectively covering the U.S. states and territories, and the District of Columbia. For instance, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has jurisdiction over cases appealed from the district courts for Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the Virgin Islands. Not all cases from the lower court are appealed to the Courts of Appeal. Certain kinds of cases can go directly to the Supreme Court.
Question 3: Define writ of certiorari.
Answer 3: A writ of certiorari, from a Latin term meaning to be more fully informed, is a writ requesting judicial review of a case. It is generally filed by the Supreme Court to a lower court, asking to review a case decided by that court for which no appeal would otherwise be available. The writ is issued if four or more Supreme Court justices believe that there is reason to review the case and is usually a response to a petition for a writ of certiorari filed by a petitioner. A denial of the writ of certiorari by the high court does not mean that the court approves of the lower court decision, but simply that they are not going to hear the case.
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