NC Court System
NC Trial Courts Trial Courts- hear evidence and arguments of the parties in a case District Courts the judge hears the case and decides the verdict- there is no jury ex: family law, traffic violations, mental hospitalization civil cases less than $10,000
Superior Courts handle civil cases involving more than $10,000 and felonies- may involve jury trials felony- serious crimes with a victim, ex: rape, robbery, murder in capital cases, jury also decides the sentence
Judges are elected for each county Other Judicial Officers Magistrates- issue search and arrest warrants district attorney- represents the state in all criminal cases in district and superior courts district public defender- state employee who represents low-income persons accused of crimes
NC Appellate Courts NC Court of Appeals- hears most cases appealed from the state’s trial courts Reviews trial court decisions Reviews evidence & procedures of trial courts Does not review death penalty case NC Constitutional issues, go to NC Supreme Court Sit in panels of 3, 15 Appeals judges total
NC Supreme Court NC Supreme Court highest court in the state reviews cases of lower courts (Appellate & Trial courts) interprets state constitution voters elect chief justice and 6 associate judges Decides NC Constitutional issues Reviews death penalty sentencing Judges are elected