Ch. 3 Court Systems

Ch. 3-1 Dispute Resolution Litigation- Allowing a court to resolve a dispute. 2 alternatives to litigation: –Mediator: Tries to develop a solution acceptable to both sides of the dispute. –Arbitrator- Holds an informal hearing to determine what happened. –Basically do the same thing. However, an arbitrator’s decision in legally binding, and mediator’s is not.

Court- Governmental forum that administers justice under the law. Trial Court- The court in which a dispute is first heard. Verdict- The decision that a jury makes. Original jurisdiction- The power to make the initial decisions of fact or law.

Appellate Court- Reviews decisions of lower courts when a party claims an error of law was made during the lower court’s proceedings.

Ch. 3-2 Federal Court System General Jurisdiction- A court that can hear almost any kind of case. Specialized Jurisdiction- A court that hears only one specific type of case.

Ch. 3-3 State Court System Court of Record- Keeps an exact account of what goes on at trial. Associate Circuit Court (County Court)- This type of court hears minor criminal cases, state traffic offenses, etc. usually no more than $25,000. Municipal Court- Usually divided into traffic and criminal divisions. These types of courts deal with city ordinances.

Small claims courts- Handle disputes in which small amounts ($2,500 or less). –Attorneys are not required in small claims courts. Juvenile Courts- Deals with younger members of society. –The age of a juvenile varies from state to state. Probate Courts- Administers wills and estates.