Chapter 5 Court Structure S Supreme Court Appellate Court Trial Court

§5.1 Court Structure Terminology §5.1 Court Structure Terminology Branches of Government Branches of Government Legislative Branch Legislative Branch Creates/enacts law Creates/enacts law Judicial Branch Judicial Branch Interprets the law Interprets the law Executive Branch Executive Branch Enforces/executes the law Enforces/executes the law

Court Structure Trial Courts Trial Courts Action begins Action begins Facts/Evidence presented = Trial Facts/Evidence presented = Trial 1 judge 1 judge Appellate Courts Appellate Courts A higher court that reviews lower court decisions A higher court that reviews lower court decisions Appellant/Petitioner: Appellant/Petitioner: party who appeals trial court decision party who appeals trial court decision Appellee/Respondent: Appellee/Respondent: arty against who appeal is brought arty against who appeal is brought Reviews the RECORD only Reviews the RECORD only Transcript, evidence, file Transcript, evidence, file 3 or more judges 3 or more judges Supreme Court Appellate Courts Trial Courts

State CourtsFederal Courts US Supreme Court US Circuit Court Court of Appeals US District Court Trial Court State Supreme Court Intermediate Court of Appeals State Trial Court

Administrative Hearings Administrative Hearings Hearings held by administrative agencies to settle disputes with agencies Hearings held by administrative agencies to settle disputes with agencies E.g., Social security matters, tax disputes, immigration, etc. E.g., Social security matters, tax disputes, immigration, etc. Stare Decisis Stare Decisis “Let the decision stand” “Let the decision stand” Previous court decisions will be followed unless there is a compelling reason to do otherwise Previous court decisions will be followed unless there is a compelling reason to do otherwise