Court Systems State and Federal Courts State Courts

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Court Systems State and Federal Courts

Court Systems State and Federal Courts

State Courts • The 2 separate court systems in the U. S. are state

State Courts • The 2 separate court systems in the U. S. are state and federal court systems • Depending on the state, state courts can also be called superior, county/district or municipal courts

State Courts • Examples of cases often heard in state courts are: • Family

State Courts • Examples of cases often heard in state courts are: • Family or Domestic Relations • Juvenile Offenses • Traffic violations • Probate • Small Claims Courts

State Courts When the State Supreme Court faces an appeal, the U. S. Supreme

State Courts When the State Supreme Court faces an appeal, the U. S. Supreme Court prevails. State Supreme Court Appellate Courts Court of Limited Jurisdiction Lower Court (municipal, traffic, juvenile, domestic, probate, small claims “Highest Court in the State” Every state has a court of appeals - those Seeking previous ruling to be overturned Magistrate Courts - Issue arrest and search Warrants, hear cases with short jail times (Misdemeanors) Superior Courts - Felony Cases

Federal Courts • Each federal judicial district has its own federal court • Called

Federal Courts • Each federal judicial district has its own federal court • Called U. S. District Courts • 70% of all cases filed in federal courts are bankruptcy cases. Others consist of: • United States as a party • Involving foreign officials • Involving the U. S. constitution • Patents and copyrights

Federal Courts • Each Judicial district has its own Court of Appeals • Court

Federal Courts • Each Judicial district has its own Court of Appeals • Court of Appeal Judges handle cases to determine whether the District courts applied the law correctly

Federal Courts Federal Judges, unlike State Court Judges who are elected, are appointed for

Federal Courts Federal Judges, unlike State Court Judges who are elected, are appointed for life: United States Supreme Court U. S. Court of Appeals U. S. District Courts (Federal Trial Courts) “Highest Law of the Land” There are 13 National Appellate Courts. Georgia is in The 11 th district and services Alabama, Florida. Further disputed matters go to the U. S. Supreme Court There are 94 U. S. District Courts across the nation And are the lowest tier of the Federal Court System

U. S. Supreme Court • This court may refuse or accept an appeal and

U. S. Supreme Court • This court may refuse or accept an appeal and it has nine Justices (judges) that hear each case where the majority rules • 4 out of the 9 US Supreme Court Justices must vote in favor to hear the case in order to be heard in this court - called the “Rule of Four”. The USSC will then file a “Writ of Certiorari”. • Petitions for Certiorari are requests by the U. S. Supreme Court to send up the records (of the lower courts) on the case

U. S. Supreme Court • The party who appeals to this court is generally

U. S. Supreme Court • The party who appeals to this court is generally the losing party in the previous appellate court • This court has the power to reverse rules of law established in prior cases • The majority of case law (common law cases) are as a result of the U. S. Supreme Court rulings **Trial Courts Seek Truth while Appellate Courts Find Errors**