1. Introduction to the U.S. Legal System

2. U.S. Constitution (1787) Divided Government into Three Branches
Executive Branch (President)
Enforce Law
Legislative Branch (Congress)
Create Law
Judicial Branch (Supreme Court)
Interpret Law

3. Two Court Systems
Federal Court– Hear cases that involve federal or constitutional law, or criminal matters which cross state boundaries
State Court- Hear everything else
Civil Court: When one party sues another for more than $500. (Ex. I sue my insurance company for failing to cover an injury).
Criminal Court: The state accuses someone of a crime. (Ex. Murder)

4. Supreme Court is Supreme
U.S
Supreme Court
State Supreme
Court
U.S Courts
of Appeals
State Appellate
Courts
Appeal
U.S District Courts
U.S. Court of Federal Claims
Trial Courts
Municipal Courts

5. Know Your Rights Fifth Amendment (Part of Bill of Rights)
Due Process: You cannot be stripped of any rights without a trial by your peers.
Presumption of Innocence: You are assumed innocence until PROVEN guilty
You do not have to incriminate yourself.
Spousal Privilege: Your spouse cannot testify against you.
Double Jeopardy: You cannot be tried for the same crime twice.
Sixth Amendment (Part of Bill of Rights)
Must have a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury of your peers
Know what you are being accused of
Face your accusers in open court and view evidence against you.
Defense by an attorney.
Fourteenth Amendment (1868)
Equal Protection: All laws must be fairly and equally applied to all citizens regardless of gender or race.

6. Criminal Courtroom Vocabulary
Appeal – The process by which a verdict can be overturned
Defendant – Those being accused
Judge – An elected or appointed official who oversees the trial to make sure laws are upheld.
Jury – 12 ordinary people who hear evidence and testimony about the crime and determine guilt or innocence.
Prosecution – The accusers
In criminal cases, this is “The people” as represented by an elected district attorney.
Sentence – The consequences for being convicted. The punishment must fit the crime, nothing “cruel or unusual.”
Verdict – The decision of guilt or innocence by the jury. In order to convict, the jury must be convinced of guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Witness – People who have knowledge of the crime or who can present evidence either in favor of or against the accused.