1. North Carolina’s Judicial Branch

2. Types of Crimes Misdemeanors: Less serious crimes. In NC misdemeanors carry less than 2 years in jail. Misdemeanors: Less serious crimes. In NC misdemeanors carry less than 2 years in jail. EXs. Speeding, DWI, littering, simple assault EXs. Speeding, DWI, littering, simple assault Felonies: Serious crimes that carry lengthy jail or prison sentences. Felonies: Serious crimes that carry lengthy jail or prison sentences. Exs. Murder, Rape, Arson, Burglary Exs. Murder, Rape, Arson, Burglary

3. District Courts Categories: civil, criminal, juvenile Categories: civil, criminal, juvenile Sit in the county seat of each county Sit in the county seat of each county Hear criminal misdemeanor cases Hear criminal misdemeanor cases Hear civil cases of divorce, custody, child support and disputes of than $10,000 Hear civil cases of divorce, custody, child support and disputes of than $10,000 All trials are bench trials All trials are bench trials Judges are elected to 4-year terms Judges are elected to 4-year terms

4. Superior Court Felony criminal cases start here Felony criminal cases start here Hear civil cases of more than $10,000 Hear civil cases of more than $10,000 Hear appeals from District Court Hear appeals from District Court A petit jury of 12 hears cases A petit jury of 12 hears cases In criminal & civil cases, juries can be waived In criminal & civil cases, juries can be waived Judges are elected to 8-year terms Judges are elected to 8-year terms

5. Other Officials Magistrate issues warrants; sets bail, guilty pleas, accepts payments; conducts small trials & sm. claims court. Appointed to 2-year terms. Magistrate issues warrants; sets bail, guilty pleas, accepts payments; conducts small trials & sm. claims court. Appointed to 2-year terms. Clerk of Superior Court is in charge of foreclosures, jury duty, dockets, fines, etc. Elected to a four-year term. Clerk of Superior Court is in charge of foreclosures, jury duty, dockets, fines, etc. Elected to a four-year term. Public Defender represents indigent defendants. Hired by the DA. Public Defender represents indigent defendants. Hired by the DA. The District Attorney brings charges for the district on behalf of the state. Elected to a 4- year term. The District Attorney brings charges for the district on behalf of the state. Elected to a 4- year term.

6. Court of Appeals of North Carolina Only intermediate appellate court Only intermediate appellate court 15 judges sit in panels of 3-No jury 15 judges sit in panels of 3-No jury Decides questions of law on cases appealed from the Superior courts, except death penalty cases Decides questions of law on cases appealed from the Superior courts, except death penalty cases Cases in which there is a dissent go to the Supreme Court Cases in which there is a dissent go to the Supreme Court Judges are elected to 8-year terms Judges are elected to 8-year terms

7. Supreme Court of NC The state's highest court The state's highest court No further appeal for state decisions No further appeal for state decisions Chief justice & 6 associate justices sit together as a panel in Raleigh Chief justice & 6 associate justices sit together as a panel in Raleigh Has no jury Has no jury Determines no fact; considers error in legal procedures or in interpretation of law Determines no fact; considers error in legal procedures or in interpretation of law Justices are elected to 8-year terms Justices are elected to 8-year terms