Court Systems Two Separate Court Systems 1 Federal

Court Systems -Two Separate Court Systems 1. Federal 2. State Two kinds of court cases 1. Civil– • Helps settle disagreements b/w people 2. Criminal • Court that determines whether a person accused of breaking a law is innocent or guilty.

Jurisdiction- the authority to hear a question or case in dispute -1. Original Jurisdiction -this belongs to the court which has the initial authority to hear a case -2. Exclusive Jurisdiction -means that jurisdiction belongs to only one group -3. Concurrent Jurisdiction -this means that a case can be heard in one of several courts

Federal Court System

Federal District Court -lowest level of Federal Courts -all federal cases must begin at this level -Each court rules over a district. At least one court per state -District Courts complete about 90% of the Federal case load

Federal District Court’s Purpose -District Courts handle cases that fall under Federal jurisdiction -District Courts use a jury trial to decide guilt or innocence -Judges are to interpret the law and determine punishments

Federal District Court Officials -Judges are appointed by the President w/ Senate approval • “president appoints, senate approves” Judges serve a life-time term - U. S. Marshals- • work for Dep’t of Justice • make arrests, collect fines, find people who have escaped conviction or arrest -Magistrates • Take care of routine work and send out search and arrest warrants -Court Clerks • complete paperwork and help research people for magistrates and marshals’ office

Federal Appeals Court -Appeals Courts serve as the second level in the system -They have only appellate jurisdiction--Authority to hear a case after it has even heard in lower court -there are 12 courts of Appeal in the U. S. which supervise a district -Cases are appealed to the Court because of unfairness or error **lawyers usually ask for an appeal when they think the judge in their case applied the law incorrectly, used wrong procedures or new evidence was found.

Federal Appeals Court Procedures -No juries are used in Appeals Courts -No determination is made on guilt or innocence -Only decision is whether a fair trial was given -Panels of 3 or more judges hear the cases and make decisions

Federal Appeals Court Rulings -Appeals Courts can make three decisions in a case 1. Uphold confirm the previous court’s decision **keep it the same 2. Overturn -reverse the previous court’s decision 3. Remand -send the case back down to a lower court for retrial