Assignment Details
In this unit, you are studying the judicial branch of government and the rules that apply to all cases that are filed with a court, such as jurisdiction and the justiciability doctrine. With these rules in mind, answer and analyze the following three fact patterns, and then answer the last three questions. Learn more about federal court jurisdiction using the following videos and resource:
What Are Federal and State Court Systems in the United States?
( https://youtu.be/U4GU1ha2Pq8?si=08z8p596Xi1XglqJ )
What Is Diversity Jurisdiction?
( https://youtu.be/xFmfJ8w6D9U?si=O4Kh80vXwKhg1wfB )
What Is Federal Question Jurisdiction?
( https://youtu.be/N1AXBS7jJ5E?si=ajVyXItr2WQANHDH )
Standing to Sue – Explained
( https://thebusinessprofessor.com/criminal-civil-law/standing-sue )
Johnny, a resident of Atlanta, Georgia, was having trouble paying his bills. Johnny, along with his best friend David, decided that they would rob a bank in neighboring Dalton, Georgia, to raise some funds. During the robbery, things went horribly wrong, and Johnny and David ended up taking a hostage and driving to nearby Chattanooga, Tennessee, where they took refuge in David’s grandmother’s home (the grandmother had no idea what they had done). Both Johnny and David eventually were apprehended in Nashville, Tennessee, where they had released their hostage.
Which court would possesses jurisdiction over this case? State court or federal court? Explain your answer.
Newlyweds Gwen and Blake were honeymooning in the state of Hawaii. They resided in the state of California and were married there as well. They were on their way to a Hawaiian luau when they were rear-ended by a local resident who lived in Honolulu, Hawaii. Gwen and Blake were both hospitalized and required extensive surgery for back and neck injuries. They were told that they both would require months of physical therapy and additional surgeries. Gwen and Blake wish to sue the local resident who resides in Honolulu, Hawaii. Gwen and Blake reside in California.
Which court would possesses jurisdiction over Gwen’s and Blake’s cases? State court or federal court? Explain your answer.
Freda recently discovered that she is pregnant. When she shared the happy news with her coworkers at a local doctor’s office, everyone was overjoyed—especially her good friend, Anthony. Unfortunately, the very next week, Freda was fired from her position, despite receiving stellar annual reviews. Her supervisor said that they were downsizing because they were being sued by several patients. Freda believes that she was fired because she is pregnant. Freda does not want to call any attention to her firing, so she has decided not to do anything about it; however, Anthony, who is a nurse in the same office, is furious with the doctor. He has decided to file the case on behalf of his friend, Freda.
In what court would this case be filed? State court or federal court?
Would Anthony be permitted to file the lawsuit on Freda’s behalf? Why or why not? Is there any rule that would forbid one person from filing a lawsuit on behalf of another person (other than an attorney)? If so, explain this legal rule and your answer.
In a 2–3-page paper, answer the questions associated with the three fact patterns, and also answer the following questions:
Identify the specific federal district in which you currently reside, such as the Northern District of Alabama, the Middle District of Alabama, or the Southern District of Alabama.
Review the website for your federal circuit court and your federal district court, and provide the citation to each website.
Lastly, identify which one of the three branches of the federal government (executive, legislative, or judiciary) created these lower federal district courts.
