1. The Court System
Chapter 2

2. The Federal Court System
Jurisdiction:
The power and authority given to a court to hear a case and to make a judgment
Federal Courts:
Actions in which the United States or one state is a party, except those actions between a state and its citizens
Cases that raise a federal question

3. Diversity of Citizenship:
Cases which involve citizens of different states and in which the amount of money in dispute exceeds $75,000
Admiralty cases, or those pertaining to the sea
Patent and copyright cases
Bankruptcy cases

4. District Courts Original Jurisdiction:
Trying a case the first time it is heard

5. Courts of Appeals Appellate Courts: Intermediate Courts:
Court of appeals
Intermediate Courts:
Courts between lower courts and the highest courts
Appellate Jurisdiction:
Any party to a suit decided in a federal district court may appeal to the federal court of appeals in the circuit where the case was tried

6. Special U.S. Courts Includes: Suits against the federal government
Disagreements over taxes on imported goods
Disputes between taxpayers and the Internal Revenue Service

7. Supreme Court
Have original jurisdiction in all cases involving ambassadors, consuls, other public ministers, and cases in which a state is a party
Most cases are appellate jurisdiction
The Court also decides, a vote of 4 out of 9, which additional cases it will hear from the U.S. courts of appeals or the state supreme courts

8. State Court Systems Local Trial Courts: General Trial Courts:
Limited Jurisdiction:
They handle minor matters, such as misdemeanors and civil actions involving small amounts of money
General Trial Courts:
General Jurisdiction:
Handle criminal and civil cases

9. Special Courts: Domestic Relations Courts: Juvenile Courts:
Divorce, annulment, dissolution, distribution property at the end of marriage (including alimony and child support)
Juvenile Courts:
Delinquent Child:
A minor under a certain age (generally 16-18) who has committed an adult crime
Unruly Child:
Generally a minor who has done something inappropriate that is not considered an adult crime, such as violating curfew, skipping school, or using tobacco

10. Intermediate Appellate Courts
Neglected or Abused Child:
One who is homeless, destitute, or without adequate parental care
May try child as an adult usually after age 14.
Intermediate Appellate Courts
Hear appeals from courts of general jurisdiction
Example 2 Page 33
Supreme Courts
The highest court in most states
They look for errors, do not retry

11. Court Systems in the United States
Figure 2.1, Page 32

12. Trial Procedures
The government brings criminal cases for offenses committed against the public at large
Individuals who believe they have been injured initiate civil cases
This can be a very expensive process, so hear are some alternatives

13. Alternative Dispute Resolution
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR):
An increasingly popular process that occurs when parties try to resolve disagreements outside of the usual adversarial system by using creative settlement techniques

14. Reactive Methods Mediation: Arbitration:
Happens when the parties to a dispute invite a third party into the decision-making process to help them find a solution
Arbitration:
Happens when the parties actually transfer the power to settle their dispute to a third party

15. Early Neutral Evaluation (ENE):
Med-arb:
Combines the best aspects of mediation and arbitration
Early Neutral Evaluation (ENE):
An evaluator examines the facts and the law, makes an impartial evaluation of the legal rights of each party, and determines the amount of the award

16. Summary Jury Trial: Private Civil Trial:
A summary jury trial is a short trial that runs less than a day before a real jury, which then comes up with a verdict.
Private Civil Trial:
In a private civil trial, the parties can hold the trial at a time and a place of their own choosing

17. Proactive Methods Partnering: Settlement Week:
Involves a process by which the parties to a long and involved contract agree to meet to get to know one another in advance
Settlement Week:
A court’s docket is cleared of all business except for settlement hearings

18. Negotiated Rules Making:
An agency that is about to create a new rules or revise existing rules meets with the parties who will be affected by the new rules
Science Court:
Acts as a forum for disputes involving scientific and technological controversies

19. Pleadings
Civil trials begin with the pleadings, formal papers filed with the court
Complaint: Express the plaintiff’s allegations, or claims
Answer: The defendant’s response to those allegations

20. Pretrial Hearing
Before the actual trial takes place, an informal meeting before a judge happens to discuss matters and try to dispose of the case

21. Steps in a Jury Trial Selecting a Jury Opening Statements
Plaintiff’s attorney goes first
Introduction of Evidence
Closing Arguments
Instructions to the Jury
Verdict and Judgment

22. Verdict:
Decision (variations from state to state as the the number of jurors who must agree to reach a verdict)
Judgment:
The court’s determination or decision in the case

23. Remedies Specific Performance: Injunction:
Where the plaintiff may want the defendant to do what he or she promised in a contract
Injunction:
An order to stop the defendant from performing an action

24. Execution of Judgment
Once the court determines a winner and a loser, the judgment of the court must be carried out

25. Criminal Trial Procedure
Arrest of the Defendant
Arrest: Occurs when a person is deprived of his or her freedom
Rights of the Defendant:
Miranda Rights
Telephone Call
Bail:
Money or other property that is left with the court t assure that a person who has been arrested will return to trial
Search and Seizure:

26. The Arraignment: Indictment: Arraignment:
Issued if a jury decides a crime has been commited
Arraignment:
Defendant is read the information (formal charges) and pleads either guilty or not guilty
If they plead guilty the judge then impose the sentence
If they plead not guilty the proceeds to trial

27. The Trial:
Just like a civil court but the jury must be unanimous in their decision – either guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, or not guilty
A mistrial is called if the jury cannot agree
Sentencing
Fines: Payment of money
Imprisonment:

28. Disposition of Juvenile Cases:
Require Three Phases:
The jury determines whether the defendant is guilty
The judge or jury listens to attorneys’ arguments and determines the punishment under state laws that clearly set forth factors to be considered in a presentencing hearing
An appeal is taken to the state’s highest court
Disposition of Juvenile Cases:
Detention Hearing:
Learn whether there are good reasons to keep the accused in custody

29. Figure 2.7 Generally settled in one of three ways: Probation
Placed in an agency or foster home
Training or reform school (last resort, when other two have failed)
Figure 2.7

30. Assignment