The U.S. federal court system enforces federal laws and regulations, by applying and interpreting the Constitution of the United States, profoundly influencing public policy, and resolving important conflicts for any citizen across the country. The federal courts derive their power directly from Article III of the U.S. Constitution, and this power extends across the entire
The term international courts covers many institutions with different structures and functions. Common among them is that they adjudicate disputes based upon principles of law rather than the wealth or political power of participants and thus are judicial bodies. Another commonality is that they have been created by agreements between states and are therefore international.
A state court is a court in one of the 50 state judicial systems of the United States. State courts vary widely in scope and structure. Most state courts and their laws are generally patterned after the English common law, with the exception being structure and substance originally developed in civil law. Each state has
Approximately 60–80% of adults arrested for a criminal offense in the United States test positive for illicit drugs, and more than 40% meet diagnostic criteria for a moderate to severe substance use disorder. Continued illicit substance use is associated with a 2- to 4-fold increase in the likelihood of committing a new criminal offense. Although
Courts cover broad perspectives (Gifis 1998). First, the court is a part of the judicial branch of the government consisting of a judge or a few judges responsible for adjudging disputes under the laws. Second, the court represents a judge or judges on the judicial bench. Third, the court is a legislative assembly that interprets
Specialty courts, also referred to as problem- solving courts, have specially designed dockets that address one type of criminal offender. In a 2016 document titled Specialized and Problem Solving Courts, published by the National Institute of Justice, it was noted that these courts focus their attention on offenders whose criminal activity stems directly or indirectly
Veterans courts are a type of specialty criminal court for military veterans who have been arrested. They are closely modeled after drug treatment and mental health courts. The aim of the courts is to rehabilitate military veterans using treatment and services to improve mental health, reduce substance misuse, and reduce future criminal recidivism. This article
Teen courts, also known as youth courts, student courts, and peer courts are structured alternative forums where youth can adjudicate peer crimes. Teen courts date back to the 1960s, but did not come to national attention until the 1990s. The programs in the 1990s grew out of efforts promulgated by the American Bar Association to
Drug courts are therapeutically oriented courts that attempt to reduce drug-related crime through a mixture of treatment and judicial oversight. Dade County, Florida, established the first drug court in 1989. By mid-2006, there were 1,563 drug courts in the United States, including 411 juvenile drug courts. Single- and multisite studies of drug courts, as well