2. Section 1.2
The Court System and Trial Procedures

3. Section 1.2 The Court System and Trial Procedures
The United States has two major court systems: the federal and the state courts.
The power a court has to hear a case and make a judgment is called jurisdiction.

4. Bankruptcy cases Federal courts have jurisdiction over
Federal Court System
Federal courts have jurisdiction over
Cases that raise a federal question
Cases with involve citizens of different states ($ value over $75000)
Admiralty cases, pertaining to the sea
Parent and copyright cases
Bankruptcy cases

6. Section 1.2 The Court System and Trial Procedures
The federal court system consists of:
district courts
appellate courts
special U.S. courts
the Supreme Court

7. District Court – have original jurisdiction over most federal civil and criminal cases (regular trial)
13 judicial circuits with several district courts and 1 appellate court
Appellate Court – is a court that hears appeals and reviews cases from the lower courts

8. Appellate courts only determine if the lower court correctly applied the law
Supreme Court – Highest court in the land 1 chief justice and 8 associate justices appointed for life(original jurisdiction in cases that involve a state)

9. Section 1.2 The Court System and Trial Procedures
Most state court systems consist of:
local trial courts small-claims, minor cases
general trial courts county courts with general jurisdiction
special courts, such as juvenile courts
intermediate appellate courts parties believe they did not get a fair trial
state supreme courts no trial just look at the facts of the case

10. Section 1.2 The Court System and Trial Procedures
An appellate court is not a trial court, but reviews the decision of a lower court.

11. Section 1.2 The Court System and Trial Procedures

12. Section 1.2 The Court System and Trial Procedures
Courts hear two types of cases:
criminal
civil

13. Section 1.2 The Court System and Trial Procedures
Civil cases are brought by one individual against another.
Criminal cases are brought by the government for offenses committed against the public.

14. Section 1.2 The Court System and Trial Procedures
A civil case begins with one individual suing another. The plaintiff is the person bringing the lawsuit. The defendant is the person being sued.

15. Alternative Dispute Resolution
ADR-occurs when parties try to resolve disagreements outside of the usual court system
Mediation-A mediator tries to persuade the parties to compromise
Arbitration-parties give the power to settle their dispute to a third party

16. Conciliation-In conciliation the conciliator does not bring the parties together in a face-to-face conversation
Negotiation-each party appoints a spokesperson to represent them in the reconciliation process
If not successful all 4 alternatives can lead to full litigation(court)

17. Civil Litigation Begins
Pleadings: formal papers filed
Discovery: fact about trial
Pretrial Hearing: informal meeting before the trial
Trial – either jury or judge

18. Evidence is introduced Closing arguments Jury instructions Verdict
Steps in a trial
Decide jury or judge
Pick jury
Opening statement
Evidence is introduced
Closing arguments
Jury instructions
Verdict