Unit 4: Law & the Legal System Courts & Jurisdiction
Levels of Courts Federal courts State Courts District Courts U.S. Court of Appeal U.S. Supreme Court Special Court State Courts General Trial Courts Intermediate Appellate Courts State Supreme Court
State Courts Address violations of state constitutions & state laws States have own penal code : set of criminal laws State Court System: Trial courts = all civil & criminal cases Appeals courts = review cases from trial courts State supreme courts = highest court in state Most judges elected / some states appoint SC judges Missouri Plan – committee makes list of judges & governor picks from list
Federal Courts Violations of US Constitution & federal laws Types of cases: Civil – involves a lawsuit filed (plaintiff) and a defendant; court decides responsibility Criminal – involves a crime committed Plaintiff (government) v. Defendant (accused)
Jurisdiction Jurisdiction – a court’s authority to hear a case 4 types of jurisdiction: Original jurisdiction – court’s authority to hear a case 1st Appellate jurisdiction – court’s authority to hear appeals Exclusive jurisdiction – only federal courts have authority to hear cases Concurrent jurisdiction – both federal & state