Incorporation/UnitedStates: Difference between revisions

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'''NOTE: ''' This is a simple overview for those not hugely familiar with the United States legal system to understand how its organized. It is also a good refresher for those who had US Politics many many years ago
'''NOTE: ''' This is a simple overview for those not hugely familiar with the United States legal system to understand how its organized. It is also a good refresher for those who had US Politics many many years ago


The United States is subdivided into 50 states, 4 unincorperated organized territories, several unincorperated unorganized terroitories, and the District of Colombia. In a legal sense, it operates as fifty independent nations bound together under a federal government, similiar in relation of the European Union and its member states. Terroitories are directly administrated by the federal government, and do not have representation in either the Congress or the Senate.
The United States is subdivided into 50 states, 4 unincorporated organized territories, several unincorporated unorganized territories, and the District of Colombia. In a legal sense, it operates as fifty independent nations bound together under a federal government, similar in relation of the European Union and its member states. Territories are directly administrated by the federal government, and do not have representation in either the Congress or the Senate.


Seperation between the federal goverment and the states is defined by the US Constition, defining which powers is reserved by the federal government and those by the individual states. Unlike the European Union, the federal government can levy taxes across the union (under the concept of "Taxiation equals Representation") and represent the states collective in international matters. Powers not granted to the federal government remain in the hands of the states. All states are bound to the US Constition which operates as the highest law in the land.  
Separation between the federal government and the states is defined by the US Constitution, defining which powers is reserved by the federal government and those by the individual states. Unlike the European Union, the federal government can levy taxes across the union (under the concept of "Taxation equals Representation") and represent the states collective in international matters. Powers not granted to the federal government remain in the hands of the states. All states are bound to the US Constitution which operates as the highest law in the land.  


With the exception of the State of Lousinia, both the federal government and the states operate under a system of common law. Common law is built on a combination of statue and case law, with case law in redefining, narrowing or widing statues. Due to the relationship between the federal and state governments, case law is only binding to the justication in which is was founded. In short, a decision is only binding in the justistictions in which it was decided. Court justistition are based on the laws being contested. For instance, copyright laws are incorperated on a federal level, which means matters of copyright are to be decided in the federal courts system. As incorporation is handed on a state level, issues relating to it would be heard in that state's local courts.  
With the exception of the State of Lousiana, both the federal government and the states operate under a system of common law. Common law is built on a combination of statue and case law, with case law in redefining, narrowing or widening statutes. Due to the relationship between the federal and state governments, case law is only binding to the jurisdiction in which it was founded. In short, a decision is only binding in the jurisdictions in which it was decided. Court jurisdiction are based on the laws being contested. For instance, copyright laws are incorporated on a federal level, which means matters of copyright are to be decided in the federal courts system. As incorporation is handed on a state level, issues relating to it would be heard in that state's local courts.  


State courts are organized by the constitution of the state, which defines there local system of courts. For the most part, states such as New York and California operate on the concept of a district court and and appealate court (sometimes referred to as a supreme court, such as the New York Supreme Court). A specific states court structure will be covered on an overview of that state
State courts are organized by the constitution of the state, which defines there local system of courts. For the most part, states such as New York and California operate on the concept of a district court and and appellate court (sometimes referred to as a supreme court, such as the New York Supreme Court). A specific states court structure will be covered on an overview of that state


== Understanding Case Law ==
== Understanding Case Law ==
'''FIXME: Insert picture of the courts layout'''
'''FIXME: Insert picture of the courts layout'''


Federal courts are organized under various circuits, which are a collection of states in a geographic area. There are three levels of courts from lowest to highest: district, appealate, and the Supreme Court.  
Federal courts are organized under various circuits, which are a collection of states in a geographic area. There are three levels of courts from lowest to highest: district, appellate, and the Supreme Court.  


=== District Courts ===
=== District Courts ===


=== Appealate Courts ===
=== Appellate Courts ===


=== Supreme Courts ===
=== Supreme Courts ===


== Legal Protections for Freedom of Press ==
== Legal Protections for Freedom of Press ==
=== First Amendment to the US Constituion ===
=== First Amendment to the US Constitution ===


=== Near v. Minnesota (1931) ===
=== Near v. Minnesota (1931) ===
Line 43: Line 43:


== References ==
== References ==
  * US Constitution Artile I, § 8
  * US Constitution Article I, § 8
  * Article III of the Constitution (courts organization)
  * Article III of the Constitution (courts organization)
  * Ninth Amendment
  * Ninth Amendment
  * 14th amendment
  * 14th amendment
<references />
<references />

Revision as of 23:27, 28 March 2014

NOTE: This is a simple overview for those not hugely familiar with the United States legal system to understand how its organized. It is also a good refresher for those who had US Politics many many years ago

The United States is subdivided into 50 states, 4 unincorporated organized territories, several unincorporated unorganized territories, and the District of Colombia. In a legal sense, it operates as fifty independent nations bound together under a federal government, similar in relation of the European Union and its member states. Territories are directly administrated by the federal government, and do not have representation in either the Congress or the Senate.

Separation between the federal government and the states is defined by the US Constitution, defining which powers is reserved by the federal government and those by the individual states. Unlike the European Union, the federal government can levy taxes across the union (under the concept of "Taxation equals Representation") and represent the states collective in international matters. Powers not granted to the federal government remain in the hands of the states. All states are bound to the US Constitution which operates as the highest law in the land.

With the exception of the State of Lousiana, both the federal government and the states operate under a system of common law. Common law is built on a combination of statue and case law, with case law in redefining, narrowing or widening statutes. Due to the relationship between the federal and state governments, case law is only binding to the jurisdiction in which it was founded. In short, a decision is only binding in the jurisdictions in which it was decided. Court jurisdiction are based on the laws being contested. For instance, copyright laws are incorporated on a federal level, which means matters of copyright are to be decided in the federal courts system. As incorporation is handed on a state level, issues relating to it would be heard in that state's local courts.

State courts are organized by the constitution of the state, which defines there local system of courts. For the most part, states such as New York and California operate on the concept of a district court and and appellate court (sometimes referred to as a supreme court, such as the New York Supreme Court). A specific states court structure will be covered on an overview of that state

Understanding Case Law

FIXME: Insert picture of the courts layout

Federal courts are organized under various circuits, which are a collection of states in a geographic area. There are three levels of courts from lowest to highest: district, appellate, and the Supreme Court.

District Courts

Appellate Courts

Supreme Courts

Legal Protections for Freedom of Press

First Amendment to the US Constitution

Near v. Minnesota (1931)

New York Times Co. v. United States (1971)

Miami Herald Publishing Co. v. Tornillo (1974)

Nebraska Press Association v. Stuart (1976)

The Mortgage Specialists, Inc. v. Implode-Explode Heavy Industries, Inc. (2010)

Obsidian Finance Group, LLC v. Cox (2011)

Requirements for Incorporation

501(c)(3)

References

* US Constitution Article I, § 8
* Article III of the Constitution (courts organization)
* Ninth Amendment
* 14th amendment