Research Guides: Political Science: American Judicial System

Getting Started

An Introduction to the Legal System of the United States, Fourth Edition by E. Allan Farnsworth; Steve Sheppard
Publication Date: 2010

An Introduction to the Legal System of the United States, Fourth Edition is designed to be a general introduction to the structure and function of the legal system of the United States, and is especially useful for those readers who lack familiarity with fundamental establishments and practices. This text also gives the reader a clear understanding of how to research the law, the importance of case law versus statutes, and the difference between private and public law. It illustrates issues that may be confusing or troublesome and provides a solid general overview.
May It Please the Court: Judicial Processes and Politics in America by Brian L. Porto
Publication Date: 2017

This practical, comprehensive, and engaging introduction to the American judicial system is designed primarily for undergraduate students in criminal justice, liberal arts, political science, and beginning law. It differs from other texts not only by delivering an insider's view of the courts, but also by demonstrating how the judicial process operates at the intersection of law and politics.
The Oxford Encyclopedia of American Political and Legal History by Donald T. Critchlow, Philip R. VanderMeer (editors)
Publication Date: 2012

This encyclopedia brings together an unparalleled wealth of information about the laws, institutions, and actors that have governed America throughout its history. The book provides an invaluable and in-depth overview of the development of America's political and legal frameworks.

Databases

Access to a wide assortment of the most important English-language journals published in the social sciences. This resource provides detailed indexing for over 625 periodicals dating back as far as 1983—nearly 400 of which are peer-reviewed.

Supreme Court Collection

Insight on the decisions and opinions of the Supreme Court. Explore cases and justices; learn about the Court; analyze data.

U.S. History in Context

Uncover information on hundreds of the most significant people, events, and topics in U.S. history from a variety of sources.

Journals and Newspapers

Academic Journals

ABA Journal

An official journal of the American Bar Association
Supreme Court Review

SCR is an in-depth annual critique of the Supreme Court and its work, keeping up on the forefront of the origins, reforms, and interpretations of American law.

Government Periodicals and News Sources

Judicial Publications

Browse documents from GovInfo
SCOTUS Blog

independent news and analysis of the Supreme Court

Web Resources

American Bar Association

The website for the organization of legal professionals, with resources for lawyers and law students.
Laws and legal issues | USA.gov

The how-to resource page of the United States government
Legal Occupations | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
United States Courts

the official website of the federal judiciary

Constitutional Foundations

Constitutional Law : Model Problems and Outstanding Answers by Kevin Saunders; Michael Lawrence
Publication Date: 2013

In Constitutional Law: Model Problems and Outstanding Answers, Kevin Saunders and Michael Lawrence help students demonstrate their knowledge of constitutional law in the structured and sophisticated manner that professors expect on law school exams. The book provides clear introductions on the fundamental topics in constitutional law, provides hypotheticals similar to those that students can expect to see on an exam, including multi-issue questions, and offers model answers to those hypotheticals.
Routledge Handbook of Constitutional Law by Mark Tushnet (Editor); Thomas Fleiner (Editor); Cheryl Saunders (Editor)
Publication Date: 2013

The Routledge Handbook of Constitutional Law is an advanced level reference work which surveys the current state of constitutional law.

The Supreme Court

Historical Dictionary of the U. S. Supreme Court by Artemus Ward; Christopher Brough; Robert Arnold
Publication Date: 2015
The Oxford Guide to United States Supreme Court Decisions by Kermit Hall (Editor); James W. Ely Jr. (Editor)
Publication Date: 2009

Federal Courts

Primer on the Jurisdiction of the U.S. Courts of Appeals Summary by Baker, Thomas E.
Publication Date: 2023

American Criminal Courts : Legal Process and Social Context by Casey Welch; John Randolph Fuller
Publication Date: 2014

Benchbook for U.S. District Court Judges by Federal Judicial Center
Publication Date: 2013
Deskbook for Chief Judges of U.S. District Courts by Federal Judicial Center
Call Number: 2014

How Do Judges Decide? : The Search for Fairness and Justice in Punishment by Cassia Spohn
Publication Date: 2008

The American Jury System by Randolph N. Jonakait
Publication Date: 2003

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Political Science

A Very Short Introduction series

Reading Resources

Study Help

Pennsylvania and State Resources