1. Chapter 2

2. Dual Court System
Federal Court System
State Court System

3. Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction: The power and authority given to a court to hear a case and to make a judgment

4. FEDERAL USA is a party to the case
Cases that raise a federal question, interpreting the constitution
Diversity of Citizenship Cases: citizens from different states (over $75,000)
Admiralty Cases (Sea)
Patent and Copyright Issues
Bankruptcy Cases

5. Federal Court Cases Mrsmars.submitbox.org Find a Federal Court Case
Google “Famous Federal Court Cases” “List of Federal Court Cases”
Find a case and submit
Name of Case
Three sentence summary
Why was it held on the Federal Level?
USA a Party
Patent and Copyright
Questioned Constitution
Admiralty (at Sea)
Diversity of Citizenship
Bankruptcy

6. FEDERAL Three Steps: District Courts Court of Appeals Supreme Court
Have Original Jurisdiction: try a case for the first time
Court of Appeals
AKA: Appellate Jurisdiction: intermediate courts that hear cases from the lower court
13 Judicial circuits
Panel of three judges decides by vote
Supreme Court
Highest Court
Hears all cases dealing with constitutionality

8. Federal Special Courts
Claims Court
International Trade
Tax Court
Territorial Courts
Military Appeals

9. Download FEDERAL COURTS GO
Go to uscourts.gov
Insert TWO Important Facts About Each Level of the Court
Upload!

10. STATE Local Trial Courts General Trial Courts Special Courts
Limited Jurisdiction: minor matters, misdemeanors and civil actions with small amounts of money
General Trial Courts
General jurisdiction: County Court, criminal and civil cases
Special Courts
Domestic Relations Court
Juvenile Courts
Delinquent child
Unruly child
Neglected or abused child

11. Neglected or Abused Child
Juvenile Court
Delinquent Child
Unruly Child
Neglected or Abused Child

12. STATE
Intermediate Appellate Courts
Supreme Courts

13. JURISDICTION
Type of Jurisdiction
Original
Appellate
Limited
General

14. Trial Procedures
CIVIL
CRIMINAL

15. The Litigation Process
Avoid Litigation
Commencing an Action
Preparing for Trial
Trying the Case
Executing a Judgment

16. Civil Trial Injured Party Files Complaint w/Court
Brings Case to Attorney
Lawyer Investigates Case

17. Pleadings: Plaintiff Makes Complaint Defendant Issued Summons
Complaint: Allegations or Claims
Defendant Issued Summons
Defendant Must Answer w/in Time Period Allowed
Answer: formal written document that admits or denies each claim and states any defenses

18. Steps in a Civil Trial Select the Jury Opening Statements
Introduction of Evidence
Closing Arguments
Instructions to the Jury
Verdict (decision) and Judgment
Remedies (specific performance or injunction)

19. Criminal Trial Procedure
Arrest of the Defendant
Rights of the Defendant
Search and Seizure
Indictment: Written accusation charging the individual
Arraignment: Suspect is reach indictment, asked to plead guilty or not guilty
Trial
Sentencing
Fines
Imprisonment
Death