1. It’s your turn to be a Court Explorer
Pay attention and you’ll be ready to play
Court Quest

2. Two Systems
State
Federal
vs.
What’s the difference??

3. JURISDICTION
Jurisdiction is one way state and federal courts are different.
It means the kinds of cases that a court can hear.

4. JURISDICTION
State and federal courts each have their own JURISDICTION. That means that they hear different kinds of cases.

5. JURISDICTION
Let’s take a minute to figure out what kinds of cases are heard by which courts…

6. State and federal courts hear different types of cases!
JURISDICTION
State Courts
Federal Courts
-Cases about a state law or rule
-Cases about the state constitution
-Disagreements between citizens of the state
-Cases about family issues
-Cases about a national or federal law
-Cases about the U.S. Constitution
-Cases that involve citizens from two different states
Ahh… I see!
State and federal courts hear different types of cases!

7. Would it be state or federal?
JURISDICTION
I wonder who would hear my case about a problem I’m having over money with my pen pal from another state?
Would it be state or federal?
Federal

8. Would it be state or federal?
JURISDICTION
I wonder who would hear my case about an argument between me and my mom?
Would it be state or federal?
State

9. Playing Court Quest will help you understand jurisdiction even better…
Good job!
Playing Court Quest will help you understand jurisdiction even better…

10. APPEALS
The next big topic that will help you with Court Quest is the idea of appeals!

11. APPEALS
One definition of “appeal” is to request that a higher court change the decision of a lower court.

12. APPEALS
In the U.S., several different courts may hear the same case. But they have to hear the case in the right order!

13. APPEALS
This looks slightly different on the state or federal level… and slightly different from state to state!

14. The general rule is that you start at the lowest appropriate court.
APPEALS
The general rule is that you start at the lowest appropriate court.
When you’re playing Court Quest, read the court descriptions to find out which court should hear your case!

15. APPEALS
If you lose your case in the lowest appropriate court you may APPEAL your case to the next court up the appellate system.

16. This court hears appeals of cases lost in Federal District Court!
If you lose your case in the lowest appropriate court you may APPEAL your case to the next court up the appellate system.
Again, read the court descriptions to make sure you’re headed to the right court.
This court hears appeals of cases lost in Federal District Court!

17. APPEALS
Some cases will make it all the way up to the Supreme Court of the United States.
The U.S. Supreme Court is located in Washington, DC – so it will show up off to the side of your map!

18. I’m sure you’ll be a case-assigning
Now that you understand JURISDICTION and APPEALS you are ready to play Court Quest!
I’m sure you’ll be a case-assigning
SUPER STAR!