American Government Chapter 24 Section 5 The Courts and Their Judges

What is heard in each type of court? State and Local Courts What is heard in each type of court? Justice of the Peace - usually hear only misdemeanor cases Magistrate’s Court - mainly misdemeanor cases and minor civil complaints Municipal Court - usually hear misdemeanor and civil cases and are organized into: civil, criminal, small claims, traffic, and probate divisions

State and Local Courts cont. Juvenile Court - cases involving young people under 18 years old General Trial Court - they hear most of the more important civil and criminal cases; exercise original jurisdiction Intermediate Appellate Court - review cases decided in lower courts State Supreme Court - the State’s highest appellate court

Terms Warrant - a court order authorizing an official action Preliminary hearing - the first step in a major criminal prosecution Appellate jurisdiction - they review cases that have already been heard in another court