The Role and Organization of the Courts The Judicial Branch The Role and Organization of the Courts
What does the Court Do? Civil- court settles a disagreement Plaintiff: individual or group that brings a complaint against another party Defendant: individual or group defending against the complaint Criminal- court determines if someone has broken a law Prosecution: a government body that brings a criminal charge against a defendant who is accused of breaking a law.
Interpreting the Law A court’s decision can establish a precedent, a guideline for how all similar cases should be decided in the future
State and Federal Courts The court to which a legal case goes first has original jurisdiction, the authority to hear a case first Appeal: ask a higher court to review the decision and determine if justice was done Appeals Courts: have appellate jurisdiction Does not hold a trial, reviews the legal issues Can order a re-trial (unless originally declared innocent)
Federal Court Cases involving federal laws and issues beyond the authority of individual states Cases appealed from state supreme courts