North Carolinas Judicial Branch Types of Crimes n
North Carolina’s Judicial Branch
Types of Crimes n Misdemeanors: Less serious crimes. In NC misdemeanors carry less than 2 years in jail. n EXs. Speeding, DWI, littering, simple assault n Felonies: Serious crimes that carry lengthy jail or prison sentences. n Exs. Murder, Rape, Arson, Burglary
District Courts n Categories: civil, criminal, juvenile n Meet in the county seat of each county – Our County Seat is Currituck; Dare Co. is Manteo. n Hear criminal misdemeanor cases n Hear civil cases of divorce, custody, child support and disputes of than $10, 000 n Juveniles are children under 16 years old n All trials are bench trials: Judge only. n Judges are elected to 4 -year terms
Superior Court n Have original jurisdiction over all Felony cases (Start here!) n Hear civil cases of more than $10, 000 n Hear appeals from District Court n A petit jury of 12 hears cases & gives verdict n In criminal & civil cases, juries can be waived for a bench trial. n Judges are elected to 8 -year terms
Other Officials n Magistrate issues warrants; sets bail, guilty pleas, accepts payments; conducts small trials & sm. claims court. Appointed to 2 -year terms. n Clerk of Superior Court is in charge of foreclosures, jury duty, dockets, fines, etc. Elected to a four-year term. n Public Defender represents indigent (poor) defendants. Hired by the DA. n District Attorney brings charges for the district on behalf of the state. Elected to a 4 year term.
Court of Appeals of North Carolina n Have only appellate jurisdiction n 15 judges sit in panels of 3 -No jury n Decides questions of law on cases appealed from the Superior courts, except death penalty cases n Cases in which there is a dissent go to the Supreme Court n Judges are elected to 8 -year terms
Supreme Court of NC n The state's highest court n No further appeal for state decisions n Chief justice & 6 associate justices sit together as a panel in Raleigh n Has no jury n Determines no fact; considers error in legal procedures or in misinterpretation of NC law n Justices are elected to 8 -year terms
NC Cases, p. 35 n 1. Read the case on page listed. n 2. Match the precedent to the case. n 3. Review the routes cases took and what level of court handed down the decision.
Chapters 12 -13 Vocabulary Review, p. 36 n Write the following words on p. 36. n List the page in the notebook on which they can be found to review: – Popular Sovereignty – Separation of Powers – Federalism – Checks & Balances – Statutes – Legislative Oversight – Appellate Jurisdiction -Pardon -Cabinet -Council of State -Felony -Misdemeanor -Original Jurisdiction -Bench Trial
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