| Representing Yourself in Court |
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| If you represent yourself in court and don't use an attorney, you are acting "pro se." Pro se is a Latin term that means on your own behalf. In legal terms, you are considered a self-representing party. More... |
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| Impeachment and Recall of State Judges |
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| All states have some procedure for removing state judges who are found to have engaged in serious misconduct. Such procedures are set out in the state's constitution or laws. This article discusses the removal of state judges by impeachment and by recall elections. More... |
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| Juror Misconduct |
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| In the American judicial system, there is a fundamental right to have a trial by jury. The United States Constitution and the constitutions of the states guarantee the right to a trial by jury. The constitutional right to a trial by jury includes a right to an impartial or fair jury. Before a jury is impaneled, the jurors take an oath in which they swear or affirm to try the case in a fair and impartial manner, according to the law and the evidence. This article discusses juror misconduct. Under some circumstances, courts grant a new trial because of juror misconduct. More... |
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| Scientific Evidence |
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| Scientific evidence is demonstrative evidence or evidence that is introduced to prove a fact by some mode other than oral testimony. Scientific evidence is obtained by using the scientific method, a process of scientifically investigating physical evidence. The information obtained is considered valid since it has been tested. Any scientific evidence that is admitted during a trial must be both relevant (tends to prove or disprove the factual matter being considered by the court) and reliable or trustworthy. Handwriting analysis, fingerprint and footprint analysis, DNA analysis, and lie detector test results are all examples of scientific evidence. Generally, an expert witness is called to testify about the reliability of the scientific evidence sought to be introduced at trial. More... |
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| Quo Warranto |
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| A writ in quo warranto, which is Latin for "by what warrant," is an extraordinary legal remedy. It requires a person to show his/her authority for holding an office or challenges the wrongful exercise of powers. A common quo warranto claim is that a government or corporate officer was not validly elected to office or is exercising powers in excess of his/her authority. A state might bring a suit in quo warranto demanding a person or corporation to show the authority for exercising some franchise or privilege granted to it by the state.
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