1. The Federal & State Courts
Structure & Powers

2. Types of Courts Courts fall into one of two types
Trial courts (original jurisdiction):
decide guilt or innocence; first to decide a case
Appeals courts (appellate jurisdiction):
decide if a mistake was made in the legal process only; will only hear cases on appeal (second time)

3. Florida County Courts Number of courts:
A county court in every Florida county (67)
Structured with:
a judge only
Power to hear:
minor arguments between citizens
minor criminal offenses
Function of this court:
trial courts

4. Florida Circuit Courts
Number of circuit courts:
20 circuit courts in Florida
Structured with:
a judge and a jury
Power to hear:
trials on cases not assigned to county courts
appeals from county courts
Function of this court:
trial and appellate courts

5. Florida District Courts of Appeal
Number of districts:
5 districts in Florida
Structured with:
panels of three judges that hear cases
Power to hear:
appeals from Florida Circuit Courts
Function of this court:
appellate courts

6. The Florida Supreme Court
Number of courts: 1
Highest court in Florida and is located in Tallahassee
Structured with:
seven justices, one justice serves as Chief Justice
Power to hear:
appeals from the FL District Courts of Appeal
other cases as assigned from the FL Legislature
Function of this court:
appellate court

7. U.S. District Courts Number of courts: 94 district courts in the U.S.
Structured with:
a judge and a jury
where most federal cases start
Power to hear:
civil and criminal cases related to federal laws
Function of this court:
trial courts

8. U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
Number or circuit courts:
13 circuits in the U.S.
12 for the states & 1 for Washington, D.C.
Structured with:
panels of three judges that hear cases
Power to hear
appeals from U.S. District Courts
Function of this court:
appellate courts

9. The U.S. Supreme Court Number of courts: 1
the power of the courts to call any law of Congress or executive order of the President unconstitutional
Judicial Review
Number of courts: 1
highest court in the United States
Structured with:
eight justices and a Chief Justice
Power to hear:
appeals from U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeal and from state supreme courts
The Supreme Court has the power of judicial review
Function of this court:
appellate court