| Professional Responsibility |
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| After passing the bar examination, an attorney is admitted to the state bar and allowed to practice law in that state. An attorney takes an oath of office. After being admitted to the bar, an attorney's conduct is regulated by the Lawyer's Code of Professional Responsibility. Every state has adopted some form of the Code, which sets minimum standards for an attorney's actions. The Code consists of three parts: Canons, Ethical Considerations, and Disciplinary Rules.
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| Mental Health Courts |
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| Specialized courts, called mental health courts, have been set up to deal with individuals entering the criminal justice system who have mental illness or a mental disability. Currently, about 30 states have mental health courts in selected jurisdictions. Juvenile mental health courts, handling delinquency cases involving mentally ill juveniles, are planned in some states.
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| Judicial Ethics |
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| One of the cornerstones of our American judicial system is the impartial administration of justice. It is crucial that a judge act fairly and impartially, avoiding any appearance of impropriety. Every state has adopted a code of judicial conduct that sets ethical guidelines for judges. All states also have judicial conduct commissions with the power to investigate, prosecute, and decide cases of judicial misconduct. There is also a code of conduct for federal judges. More... |
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| Bias in the Courts |
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| Various task forces, commissions, and committees have studied racial and ethnic bias in the courts. The issue is an important one because the perception of bias undermines public trust in the judicial system. A lack of confidence in the system affects a person's participation in the justice system. Individuals who perceive bias in the justice system may have doubts about the fairness of court procedures and outcomes. They may also be less willing to report crimes, file lawsuits, and serve as jurors. More... |
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| Dismissals and Reinstatements of Civil Lawsuits |
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| The law allows the plaintiff (the person suing) to dismiss his/her lawsuit after it has been filed. In addition, the court has authority to order dismissal of a lawsuit under certain circumstances. This article discusses voluntary dismissals by the plaintiff, involuntary dismissals by the court, and the circumstances under which a lawsuit can be reinstated. More... |
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