Courts and the Judicial Process in States and Local Governments
I. State Courts - Colorado
A. Structure
1. Trial courts: General Jurisdiction; Limited Jurisdiction
2. Intermediate Appellate Courts
3. Courts of Final Jurisdiction
B. Jurisdiction
II. State Judicial Selection and Removal Methods
A. Five Selection Methods
1. Appointment by Governor
2. Legislative Election
3. Partisan Election
4. Non-Partisan Election
5. Merit Selection (the Missouri Plan)
B. Removal Methods
1. Impeachment
2. Recall
3. Judicial Qualifications Commissions
4. Legislative Removal
5. Term Limits
6. Mandatory Retirement Age
C. General Characteristics
1. Limited Voter Information
2. Incumbency Advantage
3. Importance of Interim Appointments
4. Political Nature of Process
a. Bar politics
b. Partisan Politics
III. Causes and Encouragements of Crime
A. Legal Definitions
B. Freedom
C. Social Heterogeneity
D. Limited Police Powers
E. Social Inequities
F. Access to Goods
G. High Percentage of Teenage Males
H. Rapid Social Change
I. Drug Culture
J. Media Attention
IV. Police and Law Enforcement
A. Police Structures (Local)
B. Police Functions
1. Enforcing Laws
2. Keeping Peace
3. Solving Crimes
4. Providing Services
C. Police Discretion
D. Federal Agencies - Federalization of Law Enforcement
Key Web Sites
The Case for Partisan Judicial Elections
State Court Organization, 1987-2004
University of Alaska Justice Center: Focus on Gun Control