Our American legal system can seem confusing at first. Using your critical thinking skills to answer the following questions as you read this chapter will help you understand how our legal system operates.
1. Critical thinkers recognize that ambiguous words—words that have multiple possible meanings—can cause confusion. Sam boldly asserts that the court of common pleas has jurisdiction over Jones v. Smith, while Clara asserts equally strongly that the court of common pleas does not have jurisdiction over the case. Explain the ambiguity that allows these two apparently contradictory statements to both be true. Clue: Is it possible for a court to have one type of jurisdiction and not another?
2. Our legal system contains numerous procedural requirements. Which of the primary values is furthered by these requirements? Clue: Review the four primary values described in Chapter 1.
3. Many say that the adversary system is consistent with the American culture. What value that is furthered by our adversary system is important to our culture? Clue: Can you go beyond the four primary values described in Chapter 1 and think of any other important values?
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