2. Jurisdiction State Courts
Federal Courts
Exclusive jurisdiction in cases involving federal crimes, bankruptcy, patents, and copyrights.
Also, exclusive jurisdiction in suits against the United States.
Jurisdiction limited to federal questions (usually Constitutional) or diversity of citizenship (parties from different states or when one of the parties is a foreign government or foreign citizen.)
Can rule on the constitutionality of a state court decision.
State Courts
Exclusive jurisdiction in areas of divorce and adoption.
Jurisdiction is limited to the geographical boundaries of the state.

3. Civil vs. Criminal Law
Civil Law: Laws that regulate disputes between private citizens over noncriminal matters, such as contractual agreements, domestic relations, and business practices.

4. Civil vs. Criminal Law
Criminal Law: A body of law that defines crimes and determines punishment for committing them. The government is the prosecutor in criminal cases since crimes are against the public order.
Most end in a plea bargain negotiated between the defense and prosecution.

5. The Federal Court System
Three-tiered structure
Supreme Court is at the top.
U.S. Courts of Appeals
U.S. District Courts (trial courts with also special courts for tax, military, and claims against the U.S. Gov’t)

6. The Supreme Court Appellate jurisdiction Rule of Four
Writ of Certiorari (sur-shee-uh-rah-ree)
Article on “Can the Court Recover” Dec. 25, 2000 – Jan