The Federal Court System CIVICS CE.8A/8C MR. COLLINS & MRS. KOZLIK
DUAL COURT SYSTEM U.S. HAS TWO COURT SYSTEMS: STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS STATE COURTS HEAR MAJORITY OF LEGAL DISPUTES, INCLUDING: CRIMINAL CASES CIVIL CASES
CRIMINAL CASES COURT DETERMINES IF A PERSON ACCUSED OF BREAKING THE LAW IS OR IS NOT GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR OR A FELONY
CIVIL CASES IN A CIVIL CASE, A COURT SETTLES A DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN TWO PARTIES
FEDERAL COURT JURISDICTION ARTICLE III OF CONSTITUTION GIVES FEDERAL COURTS JURISDICTION—THE AUTHORITY TO HEAR AND DECIDE A CASE, ONLY IN SPECIFIC AREAS: 1: THE CONSTITUTION 2: FEDERAL LAWS
JURISDICTION (CONT.) 3: ADMIRALTY AND MARITIME LAWS 4: DISPUTES IN U.S. GOVT IS INVOLVED 5: CONTROVERSIES BETWEEN STATES 6: CONTROVERSIES BETWEEN CITIZENS OF DIFFERENT STATES
JURISDICTION 7: DISPUTES BETWEEN FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS 8: U.S. AMBASSADORS, MINISTERS AND CONSULS SERVING IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES (DIPLOMATS)
TERMINOLOGY EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION: ONLY FEDERAL COURTS MAY HEAR AND DECIDE CASES CONCURRENT JURISDICTION: BOTH FED. AND STATE COURTS SHARE JURISDICTION