1. U.S. Federal and State Court Systems

2. Origins of Federal Court System
Article III of Constitution
Gave power to judge criminal and civil matters of federal courts
Founding fathers originally did not want a Supreme Court
Why?
Under George Washington
Passed Federal Judiciary Act (created U.S. Supreme Court and 13 district courts
1891- Congress passed Judiciary Act
Created Court of Appeals and specialized courts

3. Jurisdiction of Federal Courts
3 Levels of courts with general jurisdiction:
Federal district courts
Federal Court of Appeals
U.S. Supreme Courts
General and Specialized jurisdiction
General- hears almost any case
Specialized- hears only specific cases. i.e- tax court, international trade, claims court, bankruptcy, military, etc.)

4. Federal District Courts (lowest level of federal courts with general jurisdiction)
Function is to serve as Trial courts (Which are?) of the Federal system
Original jurisdiction over:
Federal questions or cases that arise under U.S. Constitution, U.S law, and U.S. treaties
Lawsuits between citizens of different states, U.S. citizens and a foreign nation, or a U.S. citizen and a citizen of foreign nation.
These parties have diversity of citizenship
Must have more than $75,000 in dispute before a federal court to hear diversity of citizenship cases

5. What’s your Verdict? (pg. 52)
What arguments could you make for holding this dispute in a federal court?
What about for a state court?

6. Court of Appeals
Appellate jurisdiction over district courts, certain specialized courts, & many admin. agencies
Powers practiced when result of lower court is appealed by one or more parties of case
What are appellate courts?
What about appellate courts?
13 federal courts of appeal
12 circuit by geographic area
13th is federal circuit (patent cases appealed out of district courts

8. U.S. Supreme Court Has original and appellate jurisdiction
Original Jurisdiction is “over affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls”
MOST IMPORTANT FUNCTION of USSC:
Exercise of appellate jurisdiction
Cases on appeal from U.S. court of appeals or from highest state courts
Jurisdiction over state supreme courts limited to those where federal question have been brought out at trial court level

9. U.S. Supreme Court (cont.)
Writ of Certiorari
Share with partner what it is FIRST, then discuss as class
Writ allows lower court to turn over record of case to Supreme Court for review
Must petition the court to request Certiorari
If U.S. Supreme Court denies the Certiorari, does not mean they agree with lower’s court decision, just means they are choosing more important cases

10. Example
In This Case: pg. 54

11. Federal Court System U.S. District Courts U.S. SUPREME COURT
13 United States Courts of Appeals
(12 Circuit courts)
(1 court of Appeals for Federal Circuit)
Many Federal Agencies
U.S. District Courts
State Supreme Courts
Specialized Federal Courts

12. State Court Systems

13. State Courts Resembles Federal System 3 tiers:
State legislature makes laws, therefore state executive branch enforces law in state courts
3 tiers:
Trial Courts (Bottom)= geographically based on general or specialized jurisdiction
Appellate Courts (Middle)
State Supreme Court (Top)

14. State Trial Courts
Mostly known as circuit courts (also superior courts, district courts, or common pleas)
General jurisdiction over criminal and civil matters
Courts of record for state
Keeps exact account of what goes on at trial
Records are vital for appeals
What could be included on these records?
Transcript of what was said, submitted evidence, statements, determination of court officials, judgment of court

15. State Court of Appeals Appeal from a court reviewed by panel of judges
Typically 3 judges from the state
State appellate panel evaluates records and briefs from both parties and also oral arguments
No new evidence at this level
Judges check on correct law
If correct, result is upheld
If appealed, judges decides lower court used incorrect law and may apply new result themselves or send back to lower court

16. State Supreme Courts Legal issues limited to one trial + 1 appeal
States with intermediate court appeals only legal issues of vital importance can be taken to state supreme courts
State supreme court
3 Justices (judges who sit on state supreme court) review cases same as lower appellate courts
Issue final decision
Only go to U.S.S.C if federal question of law or U.S. Constitution issues arise

17. Could the state supreme court ever really have the last word on any issue or is it just a step in the appellate court ladder to the U.S. Supreme Court?

18. Answer
State supreme courts have the last word in cases where no federal issues have been raised.
Even where there are federal issues, due to workload, U.S. Supreme Court grants appeals only to extremely small number of most important cases.
Most handled by upholding state supreme court decision

19. State Courts with Specialized Jurisdiction

20. Associate Circuit Court
Also called County Courts
Hear minor criminal cases, state traffic offenses, and lawsuits with very small amounts (less than $25,000)
Not courts of record, however take burden off high courts even though these trials can be taken to state trial

21. City/Municipal Courts
Administer Ordinances
Traffic and criminal division
Less serious violations brought here but result can be appealed and taken to state trial courts
Ordinances not considered criminal laws
Only state and federal govts can make an act criminal

22. Small Claims Court Small amounts (less than $2,500)
Attorneys usually not required
Judge hears without jury
Decisions can still be taken to state trial court

23. Juvenile Courts Juveniles considered ages 13-18 years Refer to pg. 58
Society feels juveniles should not be held as responsible
Do you agree?
Juveniles entitled to full constitutional rights, included having an attorney
Emphasis if found guilty usually on rehab, not punishment
Courts ensure juvenile court information not available to public
Fail rehab could have juvenile tried as adult
Typically only for very serious offenses

24. What’s Your Verdict?
Pg. 57
Will he be treated differently under juvenile court than under regular trial court?

25. Probate Courts
Death= property and other interests divided according to will and laws
Probate courts administer these wills and estates