The Judicial System

The Chief Justice:

Head of any court: The judge

Sometimes: a judge Sometimes: a jury Plaintiff: person doing the accusing- remember like com-plain-tiff Plaintiff: person doing the accusing- remember like com-plain-tiff Defendant: person being accused Defendant: person being accused Verdict: the judgment Verdict: the judgment

Jury Duty How am I selected for jury duty? How am I selected for jury duty? Your name is randomly selected from the list of registered Your name is randomly selected from the list of registered voters or the drivers license list in the county where you live. voters or the drivers license list in the county where you live. How can I request to be excused? How can I request to be excused? Requests for permanent excuse from jury duty are listed in Item 15 of the Juror Qualification Questionnaire. Requests for a temporary excuse during the month for previously planned vacation, work-related training or travel, or other hardship, should be included when returning your questionnaire. Requests for permanent excuse from jury duty are listed in Item 15 of the Juror Qualification Questionnaire. Requests for a temporary excuse during the month for previously planned vacation, work-related training or travel, or other hardship, should be included when returning your questionnaire. How long is my term of service? How long is my term of service? Your term of service will last for one month. You will not report each day, you will be "on call" and instructed by the recorded message when you must report. Most trials last (1-3) days, however, some trials may be longer. Your term of service will last for one month. You will not report each day, you will be "on call" and instructed by the recorded message when you must report. Most trials last (1-3) days, however, some trials may be longer. What is a PETIT jury? What is a PETIT jury? A PETIT jury is a trial jury for both civil and criminal cases. The PETIT jury listens to the evidence offered during a trial and returns a verdict. A verdict in a civil case may be finding for the plaintiff or for the defendant. A verdict in a criminal case finds the defendant guilty or not guilty. A PETIT jury is a trial jury for both civil and criminal cases. The PETIT jury listens to the evidence offered during a trial and returns a verdict. A verdict in a civil case may be finding for the plaintiff or for the defendant. A verdict in a criminal case finds the defendant guilty or not guilty.

What is a GRAND jury? What is a GRAND jury? A GRAND jury does not determine guilt or innocence, but whether there is probable to believe that a crime was committed. The evidence is normally presented only by an attorney for the government. A GRAND jury does not determine guilt or innocence, but whether there is probable to believe that a crime was committed. The evidence is normally presented only by an attorney for the government. What will I be paid for jury duty? What will I be paid for jury duty? A $40.00 attendance fee is paid for each day you are required to report, whether or not you are selected. U. S. Government employees will not receive an attendance fee. You will be paid 44.5 cents per mile. Your mileage is automatically calculated by your zip code. A $40.00 attendance fee is paid for each day you are required to report, whether or not you are selected. U. S. Government employees will not receive an attendance fee. You will be paid 44.5 cents per mile. Your mileage is automatically calculated by your zip code. What happens if I don't report for jury duty? What happens if I don't report for jury duty? Any juror who fails to report for jury duty and who is not excused by the Court may be served with a Show Cause Order by the U. S. Marshal's Office. Subsequently, those jurors will be required to show cause why they should not be held in contempt of the Court pursuant to the Jury Selection Act. Contempt penalties range from a fine of $ to three days imprisonment Any juror who fails to report for jury duty and who is not excused by the Court may be served with a Show Cause Order by the U. S. Marshal's Office. Subsequently, those jurors will be required to show cause why they should not be held in contempt of the Court pursuant to the Jury Selection Act. Contempt penalties range from a fine of $ to three days imprisonment

Appeals Court: Appeals Court: A place to have a case heard again….. A place to have a case heard again….. BUT not just a place to go if you didn ’ t like the verdict. BUT not just a place to go if you didn ’ t like the verdict. Re-hearing a trial can only happen when some legal wrong happened in the first trial Re-hearing a trial can only happen when some legal wrong happened in the first trial

2 basic kinds of court “ systems ” Federal Court: Federal laws Federal Court: Federal laws Robbing a bank Robbing a bank Terrorist activities Terrorist activities Crossing state lines while committing a crime Crossing state lines while committing a crime Kidnapping Kidnapping State Courts: State Laws State Courts: State Laws Speeding Speeding Divorces / Custody Divorces / Custody Writing bad checks Writing bad checks Shoplifting Shoplifting Drug / Alcohol offenses Drug / Alcohol offenses Local courts are part of the state court system. Local courts are part of the state court system.

There are 3 basic kinds of laws Constitutional Law: things that are written out in the constitution. Statutory Law: laws made by lawmakers. Common Law: Based on past court decisions and experience over the years.

2 different kinds of court cases Criminal Case: when a person is accused of breaking a law Criminal Case: when a person is accused of breaking a law Civil Case: deals with problems between 2 people Civil Case: deals with problems between 2 people