legal-terms
What is a Kangaroo Court?
<p>What is a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kangaroo_court" rel="nofollow">Kangaroo Court</a>?</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>A kangaroo court is a judicial tribunal or assembly that blatantly
  disregards recognized standards of law or justice, and often carries
  little or no official standing in the territory within which it
  resides. Merriam-Webster defines it as "a mock court in which the
  principles of law and justice are disregarded or perverted". The term
  may also apply to a court held by a legitimate judicial authority who
  intentionally disregards the court's legal or ethical obligations.</p>
  
  <p>A kangaroo court is often held to give the appearance of a fair and
  just trial, even though the verdict has in reality already been
  decided before the trial has begun. Such courts are typically run by
  authoritarian governments, and can also be found in rural areas where
  legitimate law enforcement may be limited.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>I took that quote from Wikipedia that helps to define the term but characteristics help identify a Kangaroo court as opposed to a legitimate court system?  </p>

<p>By this definition there are quite a few courts that I am sure do not belong as the categorization of this as such but based on this definition would seem to apply.  Most notably the Supreme Court of the United states at times has made rulings that were completely contrary to the existing laws and the constitution.  Similarly the US Federal Circuits have also had several rulings that even though superior courts agreed the court stepped outside the law in its decision have chosen not to  overturn the decisions or have written decisions that have become defacto laws.</p>

<p>Why would these not be considered Kangaroo courts.  What is it that I am missing from this definition that would make the courts of Saddam  Hussien or Edi Amine Kangaroo courts?</p>

<p>The answer is in the quote. When people talk about a kangaroo court, what they mean is that the legal process is for show; the actual decision is made on non-legal principles.</p>

<p>A kangaroo court may look just like any other court; the only exception might be that before the trial, the government meets with the judge or the jury and informs them that their verdict will be "guilty."</p>

<p>Of course, some kangaroo courts tip the scales in more obvious ways, but all that's necessary is that it not follow the law in a way that prejudices the defendant.</p>
