2. Types of Trial Courts 1) District Court Hears 4 types of cases: A) Criminal Misdemeanors and infractions (traffic offenses and ordinance violations) B) Civil Lawsuits (less than $10,000) Family Law (divorce, custody, child support, adoption, etc) C) Juvenile Children under 16 who are delinquent Children under 18 who are undisciplined, dependent, neglected, or abused D) Magistrate Issue search/arrest warrants Hold pre-trial hearings (bail) Accept guilty pleas and payments of fines Conduct “small claims” court (less than $5,000) No jury One judge (Elected 4 year term) nonpartisan

3. 2) Superior Court Hears: A) Criminal Cases All felonies Misdemeanor and infraction appeals from District Court B) Civil Cases Involving more than $10,000 Onslow County Courthouse (1940) One judge (Elected 8 year term) Nonpartisan Jury of 12 citizens

4. Types of Appellate Courts 1) NC Court of Appeals 15 elected judges (8 year terms) nonpartisan Panel of three judges review cases (determines if trial was fair) Appeals range from parking tickets to murder cases Biographies - NC Court of Appeals Judges

5. 2) NC Supreme Court Courtroom Seating of JusticesCourtroom Seating of Justices 7 elected justices ( 8 year term) nonpartisan Decides which cases to hear on appeal (about 600 per yr) Automatically hears all death sentence cases Court’s role is to determine legal error or interpretation of state law Justice Patricia Timmons- Goodsonustice Patricia Timmons- Goodson Justice Edward Thomas Bradyustice Edward Thomas Brady Justice Mark Martinustice Mark Martin Chief Justice Sarah Parkerhief Justice Sarah Parker Justice Robert H. Edmunds, Jr.ustice Robert H. Edmunds, Jr. Justice Paul M. Newbyustice Paul M. Newby Justice Robin E. Hudsonustice Robin E. Hud

6. Jurisdiction Criminal Cases Misdemeanors: (No jury, one judge) Felonies: (jury decides, one judge) District Court Superior Court

7. Appeal of Superior Court Decision NC Court of Appeals ( panel of 3 judges reviews the case) Appeal of NC Court of Appeals Decision NC Supreme Court (7 elected justices) Appeal of NC Supreme Court Decision US Supreme Court (9 appointed justices) Final Court of Appeal

8. Route of Criminal Appeals District Court Superior Court NC Court of Appeals NC Supreme Court US Supreme Court

9. Civil Cases up to $5,000 $5,000-10,000 more than $10,000 Small Claims Court (magistrate, no lawyers) District Court Superior Court