Explain with an example how the legal system in the United States differs from that of other countries

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The United States has a common-law system, which relies on precedents set by previous cases to rule on current cases. On the other hand, German law is based on a civil-law tradition rather than a common-law tradition. German judges make decisions based on the country's extensive civil codes, rather than previous decisions. German judges are not elected as many American judges are; instead, most are appointed for life, after a probationary period.
German courts are separated by field. The ordinary courts hear most criminal and civil cases, each specialty court (for labor, patents, social, administrative, and fiscal issues) hears cases related to its individual area, and constitutional courts hear cases involving constitutional issues. The courts all have local, land (state), and federal levels. The highest court in Germany is the Federal Constitutional Court, which deals only with constitutional issues.
Germany does not have any jury trials. All cases are heard by a judge or a panel of judges. Also, the judges are the primary questioners of witnesses. Lawyers can question witnesses after the judges have finished. This legal fact-finding method differs from the American method of examination and cross-examination.