Includes bibliographical references and index.

A brief history of English and American courts -- The U.S. Constitution -- English origins -- Colonial and early state courts -- Development of federal courts -- Development of state courts -- Jurisdiction -- The four J's -- Types of jurisdiction -- Litigation -- Civil cases and criminal cases -- Civil procedure -- Criminal procedure -- Appellate procedure -- Expedited consideration of constitutional index -- Federal and state courts -- Federal courts : the powers of Congress -- State courts -- The Supreme Court -- The structure of the Supreme Court -- The jurisdiction of the Supreme Court -- Supreme Court procedure -- Deciding cases and preparing opinions -- Effect of appellate decisions and opinions.