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Lawyers & Courts
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Small Biz Center
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Lawyers & Courts
: Courts & the Legal Process
This section provides legal consumers information about the courts and the legal system. You will find publications from state bar associations and court systems describing the legal process along with contact information for federal, state, and local courts broken down by state. If you are thinking about initiating legal action, you may also consider alternate ways to resolve your legal problems. Arbitration and mediation offer alternative, and potentially less costly, ways to resolve legal disputes. Where available, you will find resources relating to arbitration and mediation programs in the
State Information
section.
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Types of Actions
There are two basic types of legal matters -- criminal and civil.
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Arbitration/Mediation
Sometimes referred to as "alternative dispute resolution" or "ADR," mediation and arbitration are alternatives to the use of lawsuits to resolve legal disputes.
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State and Federal Courts
As a general guide, federal courts are granted exclusive jurisdiction over certain federal statutory claims and constitutional matters. State courts, in turn, handle nearly every type of case, subject to certain jurisdictional limits.
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General Information
Links and information on courts and legal process.
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State Information
Information on courts and legal process in your state.
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