1. A Very Brief Introduction That You May or May Not Remember 
Judicial System Unit
A Very Brief Introduction That You May or May Not Remember 

2. The Judicial System of the United States is divided into two levels:
National
State

3. Courts at both levels handle two types of cases ….
Criminal
Civil

4. Criminal Cases
These involve accusations by the government that someone has broken a law

5. Criminal Cases
guilty
Defendants are found or
not guilty

6. Or you could get a combination of all three!
Criminal Cases (cont.)
If found guilty one or all of the following could happen:
Jail Time
Probation
Fine
Or you could get a combination of all three!

7. Civil Cases
This is a private dispute involving two or more individuals, businesses or governments

8. Cases are found in favor of the
Civil Cases (cont)
Cases are found in favor of the or
Defendant
Plaintiff

9. Plaintiff
In a civil case, the plaintiff is the one making the accusation – they often seek payment of damages or the enforcement of a contract or regulation

10. Defendant
Civil Defendant – the person, business, or government that is being sued.

11. Defendant
Criminal Defendant – the person accused of committing the crime

12. Jurisdiction
The right of a court to hear a certain type of case
There are three types of jurisdiction 1 2 3

13. Original Jurisdiction
This means the court has the authority to be the first to hear a case.
I'm first!!

14. Appellate Jurisdiction
The ability to hear cases on review, or appeal, from lower courts.

15. Appeal
To ask a court to review a legal issue that occurred during your trial. You CANNOT simply appeal because you lost.

16. Limited Original Jurisdiction
This means that some cases begin at the highest level.

17. In conclusion ….
Two levels to our judicial system
Two types of cases
Three types of jurisdiction
All Done !