American citizens can utilize their Courts only under certain conditions and circumstances. That is, there are both formal and informal "barriers" to access the legal system.

  Once access is achieved, Courts exercise a variety of powers in certain ways.   

a)  What are the four major "barriers"to entry into the American legal system? Explain each.

b)  How do interest groups gain access to the system and to what extent have they been effective in attempting to use the justice system to achieve their goals?  Give examples.

c)   What are the principal instruments of judicial power in American Courts? Explain each.