The Federal & State Courts Structure & Powers

Types of Courts Courts fall into one of two types Trial courts (original jurisdiction): decide guilt or innocence; first to decide a case Appeals courts (appellate jurisdiction): decide if a mistake was made in the legal process only; will only hear cases on appeal (second time)

Florida County Courts Number of courts: A county court in every Florida county (67) Structured with: a judge only Power to hear: minor arguments between citizens minor criminal offenses Function of this court: trial courts

Florida Circuit Courts Number of circuit courts: 20 circuit courts in Florida Structured with: a judge and a jury Power to hear: trials on cases not assigned to county courts appeals from county courts Function of this court: trial and appellate courts

Florida District Courts of Appeal Number of districts: 5 districts in Florida Structured with: panels of three judges that hear cases Power to hear: appeals from Florida Circuit Courts Function of this court: appellate courts

The Florida Supreme Court Number of courts: 1 Highest court in Florida and is located in Tallahassee Structured with: seven justices, one justice serves as Chief Justice Power to hear: appeals from the FL District Courts of Appeal other cases as assigned from the FL Legislature Function of this court: appellate court

U.S. District Courts Number of courts: 94 district courts in the U.S. Structured with: a judge and a jury where most federal cases start Power to hear: civil and criminal cases related to federal laws Function of this court: trial courts

U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Number or circuit courts: 13 circuits in the U.S. 12 for the states & 1 for Washington, D.C. Structured with: panels of three judges that hear cases Power to hear appeals from U.S. District Courts Function of this court: appellate courts

The U.S. Supreme Court Number of courts: 1 the power of the courts to call any law of Congress or executive order of the President unconstitutional Judicial Review Number of courts: 1 highest court in the United States Structured with: eight justices and a Chief Justice Power to hear: appeals from U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeal and from state supreme courts The Supreme Court has the power of judicial review Function of this court: appellate court