1. The US Court System
Objective 2.01

2. Dual Court System
Federal Court System
State Court System

3. Federal Court System Derives from Article III of US Constitution
Governs over cases concerning federal matters
Governs over cases concerning diversity of citizenship
There are 13 judicial circuits
Each circuit has several district courts and one appeals court
There are 95 federal district courts

4. Jurisdiction The authority to hear a case and make a decision
Types of Jurisdiction
Original: First court to hear a case
General: Hear both civil and criminal cases
Limited: Hear only certain types of cases
Appellate: Review the decisions of lower courts

5. Federal Jurisdiction Cases heard in the Federal Court System:
Cases that involve the United States as a party
Cases that raise a federal question
Case of that pertain to Diversity of Citizenship
Disputes that exceeds $75,000 and involve persons of different states
Cases that include Admiralty, Patents, Copyrights, and Bankruptcy Cases

6. Structure of the Federal Court System
US Supreme Court
Appellate jurisdiction on involving all federal and state cases
Original jurisdiction involving cases in which a state is a party, and cases involving American ambassadors, ministers, and consuls
4 out of 9 justices must vote before a case may be appealed
US Court of Appeals
Hears appeals from US district courts
A 3 judge panels make decisions regarding appeals
US District Courts
Original jurisdiction over most civil and criminal case
Most federal cases begin in one of the US district courts
US Special Courts
Limited jurisdiction over special court cases
Special courts include: US Claims Court, US Tax Court, Territorial Court

7. Structure of the State Court System
Local Trial Courts (limited jurisdiction)
Only hear minor matters including misdemeanors, civil actions involving small amounts of money, small claims of property damage, traffic violations, police citations, and other municipal affairs.
General Trial Courts (general jurisdiction)
Each county has one general trial court
Hear all types of major civil and criminal cases
Intermediate Appellate Courts (appellate jurisdiction)
Only about two-thirds of states have appellate courts
Hears appeals from general and local trial courts
State Supreme Court (original and appellate jurisdiction)
Hear appeals from all lower state courts
Has original jurisdiction in cases in which the state is a party and involve a question of state constitution
State Special Courts (limited jurisdiction)
Hear cases that involve probate issues, major traffic violations, juveniles, family disputes, and other domestic matters