What do you think about the U.S. court system? What would you change?

Answer 1

How do we determine a man (or woman's) ability to judge right from wrong? Does it have anything to do with ivy league schools? wealth? prestigious background? These are the determining factors for those who run the court system. No, it's not fair and not surprising that we have an elitist view of how the system should be ran.....
But how do we go back? Back to the days of honest men like Abe Lincoln, real fighters like Teddy Roosevelt? How do we get back to our country being ran by just good, decent, honest men driven by an ambition to genuinely better our country??? I wish our kids would feel the sense of pride when they put their hand over heart to say allegiance to our country. I wish I knew, I am so sick of fat, wealthy, selfish white men who are only driven by their own selfish agenda. I fear I've lost faith and I am not surprised that our children don't feel any pride in being an American.

Answer 2

I think the U.S. court system is just that a system. So many violent people get away with no punishment and it is not right. People that do harsh crimes need to be punished to the fullest. Not just get a slap on the hand..Which leads to more crime and even death which probably could have been avoided. Instead they lock up the ones that don't pay a ticket. Then the molesters, batterers, home invaders, murderers get out and walk the street because of overcroudedness....come on....... where is Justice?? The court systems need to do an overhaul of the laws and how they sentence people doing crime. How bout let the victims lay down a sentence for the people that violated them.

Answer 3

First and foremost I would make police, judges and prosecutors liable for their actions. No more immunity from civil or criminal penalties for misconduct. Way too many get away with murder (ie: 10% of the death row inmates nationwide found innocent after the introduction of DNA testing). And look at the Jon Benette fiasco...
Second, Let the jury do what juries are supposed to do, vote their conscience based on ALL the evidence. Expose ALL evidence pro & con to the jury, don't allow the prosecutors to "pad" the case by hiding relevant facts. Allow the Jurys to read the "Fully Informed Jury Association" handbook.
This IS the best system, it has just become corrupt by political expediency.

Answer 4

The U.S. court system in most cases metes out decisions based the skill of the attorney. In the case of criminals, if they can afford an ace lawyer they will probably be acquited. In the case of lawsuits if they have an ace lawyer they will probably get a large award. Basically justice is dependent upon how much the lawyer is paid and his pay depends upon his skill.

The judges should be more strict with what wild crap they allow the attorneys to come up with to win their case. They often throw up so much smoke that the real issue becomes lost.

Answer 5

For criminal cases? I would do away with the high priced attorney. If anyone got into legal trouble-be it a homeless person or a multi-billionare they wouldnt be able to hire an attorney, they would be appointed one. A public defender if you will. This way everyone would be assured the same type of representation when in court-no more of the Mega-Rich buying their way out of trouble by hiring a dream team AKA OJ Simpson or Michael Jackson style.

Answer 6

I would put in a "legal triage" stage that would function partially as ADR and partially as a means to detect and remedy frivolous claims and defenses. If someone's claims or defenses appeared unsupported in law and/or fact, make them post a bond in order to continue the case to cover the cost of proving them wrong. We have become a "make me" society and people regularly lie in order to make justice more expensive. I have been on the receiving end of all kinds of frivolous crap propounded by professional litigants (not litigators) and it is exhausting and expensive to show what liars they are; when it finally is proven, they either are not sanctioned OR they make themselves judgment-proof (no assets/hidden assets). By making them put up or shut up, it will serve as a major disincentive to the deceit and delays that clog the system and impede the efficient administration of justice. I would also fund the courts adequately with enough judges and clerks to get simple cases handled within 6 months and complex cases within 12 months.

Answer 7

It works pretty damn well.
I would add to each state a felony murder court designed specifically to handle rape and murder cases and limit appeals directly to State Supreme Courts.

I would also like to see drug courts established for drug offenses only.

I would suggest small claims court be increased to $10,000 in every state as well.

Answer 8

Is this a question to be asked in "Indian Questions Only". A US legal consultant alone may answer properly nor an Indian.

Answer 9

Kill the lawyers and put judges in that actually have some balls.