ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the structure of the US dual court system, comprised of federal and state courts. The structure of state courts vary among states although a general pattern has been identified consisting of courts of original instance. Social workers are most often involved with local courts pertaining to matters involving juveniles, victims of crime, interpersonal violence, and child welfare. Social workers also interact with specialty courts to provide substance abuse or mental health treatment, and conduct mediation within mediation centers for court referred cases. Laws affect many aspects of daily life. For example, traffic laws define speed limits and restrict certain behaviors such as texting while driving. Laws regulate many types of personal and public interactions between individuals, and between individuals and government entities including family matters, the transfer of property, commerce and conflict. Whereas prosecutors and district attorneys are representatives for state and federal cases, public defenders represent the defendant.
