1. Dispute Resolution and the Courts
LESSON 4-1
Dispute Resolution and the Courts
G O A L S
Explain how disputes can be settled without resort to the courts
Name the different levels of courts and describe their powers
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2. CAN DISPUTES BE RESOLVED PRIVATELY?
Mediation
Arbitration
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3. MEDIATION
Mediator tries to develop a solution acceptable to both sides of the dispute.
The actions of a mediator are advisory—not binding.
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4. ARBITRATION
An arbitrator usually holds an informal hearing to determine what happened.
The arbitrator’s decision is binding on both parties.
The decision can be enforced by court order if necessary.
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5. DIFFERENT LEVELS OF COURTS
Trial courts
Appellate courts
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6. TRIAL COURTS A trial court is the first court to hear a dispute.
A trial court has original jurisdiction over a case.
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7. APPELLATE COURTS
An appellate court reviews decisions of lower courts when a party claims an error was made during the previous proceeding.
Appellate courts are concerned with errors of law rather than questions of fact
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8. Federal Court System G O A L S LESSON 4-2
Identify the source of power of the federal courts
Name the various levels of federal courts and describe their jurisdictions
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9. ORIGINS OF OUR FEDERAL COURT SYSTEM
Federal courts received their power from the Constitution.
The Constitution granted Congress the power to establish courts inferior to the U.S. Supreme Court.
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10. JURISDICTION OF THE FEDERAL COURTS
Federal District Courts
Federal Courts of Appeals
United States Supreme Court
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11. FEDERAL COURT SYSTEM United States Supreme Court State Supreme Courts
Specialized Federal Courts
Many Federal Agencies
United States District Courts
13 United States Courts of Appeals
(12 Circuit Courts)
(1 Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit)
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12. State Court Systems G O A L S LESSON 4-3
Compare the structure of a typical state court with the structure of the federal courts
Identify state courts of specialized jurisdiction
Discuss the jurisdiction of the various typical state courts
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13. STRUCTURE OF STATE COURT SYSTEMS
State trial courts
State courts of appeals
State supreme courts
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14. A TYPICAL STATE COURT SYSTEM
Supreme Court
Family Court
Probate Court
Criminal Court
Juvenile Court
Municipal Court
Justice’s Court
(The Court of a Justice of the Peace)
Small Claims Court
Trial Court
(Of Original General Jurisdiction)
Intermediate Appeals Court
(In Populous States)
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15. STATE COURTS WITH SPECIALIZED JURISDICTION
Associate circuit courts
City or municipal courts
Small claims courts
Juvenile courts
Probate courts
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