1. IV. The Court System Chapter 4 The Court System Lesson Objectives
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Chapter 4 The Court System
IV. The Court System
Lesson Objectives
Analyze Methods of Alternate Dispute Resolution.
Analyze the Structure of Court Systems and Define Different Types of Courts.
Compare and Contrast the Structure of the Federal Court System and the Court System of The State of New Jersey.

2. A. Alternate Dispute Resolution
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A. Alternate Dispute Resolution
Not all disputes have to be resolved in a court of law.
Methods of alternate dispute resolution have been developed to ease the burden on the court system.
The two primary methods of alternate dispute resolution are:
Mediation
Arbitration

3. A. Alternate Dispute Resolution
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A. Alternate Dispute Resolution
MEDIATION
A Mediator is appointed by the court and/or agreed to by the parties.
The Mediator tries to develop a solution acceptable to both sides of the dispute.
The actions of a mediator are advisory—not binding. 3

4. A. Alternate Dispute Resolution
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A. Alternate Dispute Resolution
ARBITRATION
An Arbitrator is appointed by the court and/or agreed to by the parties.
An arbitrator usually holds an informal hearing to determine what the facts in dispute.
The actions of an arbitrator are binding and may be enforced by court order. 4

5. B. Structure of the U.S. Court System
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B. Structure of the U.S. Court System
The court system is responsible for all types of dispute resolution.
Civil Cases-Disputes between individuals and corporations
Criminal Cases-Disputes between people and society
Courts derive their power from state constitution’s and the U.S. Constitution, respectively.
The U.S. Court System has two components
STATE COURT SYSTEMS
FEDERAL COURT SYSTEM
How do you know where to go?
Jurisdiction is the authority given by law to a court to try cases and rule on legal matters.
Jurisdiction 5

6. B. Structure of the U.S. Court System
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B. Structure of the U.S. Court System
To navigate the court system you must determine which court has jurisdiction.
Jurisdiction is determined by;
The type of legal matter
Geographic area
State court jurisdiction covers disputes involving individuals who reside in the same state or violations of state law.
Federal Court jurisdiction covers disputes involving a federal question of law OR disputes between individuals who reside in different states (Diversity of Citizenship) 6

7. B. Structure of the U.S. Court System
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B. Structure of the U.S. Court System
The State and Federal Court systems have two different types of courts;
TRIAL COURTS
APPELLATE COURTS
Each type of a court has different powers and responsibilities.
TRIAL COURTS
APPELLATE COURTS
First court to hear a dispute
Review decisions made by trial court judges
Court of Original Jurisdiction
Correct errors of law made by trial judge
Juries and witnesses
Do not disturb findings of fact by jury 7

8. B. Structure of Court Systems
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B. Structure of Court Systems
Possible Rulings by an Appellate Court
Affirm (uphold) the decision of the lower court.
Reverse (overturn) the decision of the lower court.
Amend (change) the decision of the lower court.
Remand the case—send it back to the trial court for corrective action or possibly a new trial. 8

9. Appeals from State Supreme Courts
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C. The Federal Court System
THE LAW
OF THE
LAND
Appeals from State Supreme Courts
United States
Supreme Court
Hears Appeals
from District Courts
United States
Courts of Appeal
Trial Courts
of the Federal System
United States District Courts*
*NJ is included in the 3rd Circuit of the Federal Court System with PA, Del. And USVI.

10. C. The Federal Court System
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C. The Federal Court System
The United States Supreme Court
The United States Supreme Court is composed of a Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices. Total 9.
Supreme Court Justices are nominated by the President and approved by the US Senate.
The Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court is…
The Honorable John Roberts. 10

11. Chapter 4 The Court System
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C. The Court System of New Jersey
Highest Court
in the State
New Jersey
Supreme Court
Hears Appeals
From Trial Courts
Superior Court of New Jersey
Appellate Division
New Jersey
Trial Courts
Superior Court of New Jersey-Law Division
Civil-Criminal-Family
Local court
Municipal Courts 11

12. The Supreme Court of New Jersey
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C. The Court System of New Jersey
The Supreme Court of New Jersey
The New Jersey Supreme Court is composed of a Chief Justice and six Associate Justices. Total 7
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New Jersey is…
The Honorable Stuart Rabner 12

13. The Supreme Court of New Jersey
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C. The Court System of New Jersey
The Supreme Court of New Jersey
The New Jersey Supreme Court is located in the Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex in Trenton.
Supreme Court Justices are nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the State Senate.
The mandatory retirement age is 70. 13

14. Municipal Court Chapter 4 The Court System
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C. The Court System of New Jersey
Municipal Court
The territorial jurisdiction of a Municipal Court extends only to the boundaries of its municipality.
Municipal Courts have responsibility for motor vehicle and traffic violations, quasi-criminal offenses (i.e. disorderly and petty disorderly persons offenses), and municipal ordinance violations, including fish and game violations.
Each municipality in NJ has its own court. 14

15. Township of Belleville Municipal Court
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C. The Court System of New Jersey
Township of Belleville Municipal Court
The Belleville Municipal Court is located in Town Hall on Washington Ave.
Municipal Court Judges are private attorneys hired by the municipality usually on a part-time basis.
The presiding Belleville Municipal judge is;
The Honorable Karen Smith 15