1. 15.3 Americas Dual Court System
Judiciary Act 1789 set up a dual court system

2. Jurisdiction “what gets tried where” Or
The courts ability to hear a case

3. Jurisdiction Authority to enforce laws
State courts have jurisdiction over cases involving state law
Federal Courts = federal law or the “C”

4. Jurisdiction
Is limited
3 factors
#1 Level in the court hierarchy

5. Original Jurisdiction
Bottom
Trial courts
Original
The authority to hear a case for the first time

6. Appellate Jurisdiction
Moving up…..
Appeals Courts
Authority to review decisions made in lower courts
Was lower court carried out in a fair manner with no errors of law?

7. #2 Geographic Reach
Court hear cases within certain geographic boundaries
State = city or county
Federal = within one of the 94 federal districts
Appellate = 13 districts in the US
Supreme Court = anywhere

8. #3 Type of Case Subject matter
General jurisdiction = state and federal level = variety
Limited jurisdiction = specialize in certain cases
Ex: bankruptcy, traffic, juvenile cases

9. State Courts Most cases are heard here Several million/year
Half = traffic

10. 4 general levels Trial courts of limited jurisdiction
Trial courts of general jurisdiction
Intermediate appellate courts
Courts of last resort

11. State Judges Each state has own rules 3 ways Election Appointment
Merit selection & retention

12. check Which jurisdiction???? Hear a case for the first time?
Review decisions made on lower court
Only certain types of cases will be heard
The supreme court is often called the “______ ___ _____ ______”
Jurisdiction w/s