Ch The Role of the Federal Courts

Laws and Courts Legal conflicts are resolved by courts of law Legal conflicts are resolved by courts of law Apply the law to an actual situation Apply the law to an actual situation

Two Kinds of legal conflict 1. Criminal - innocent or guilty -punishment 2. Civil -disagreements -contracts, divorce, etc…

Parties in a conflict Civil case- brought in by the plaintiff- complaint Civil case- brought in by the plaintiff- complaint Defendant- answers a complaint Defendant- answers a complaint Criminal case is brought to court by the prosecution Criminal case is brought to court by the prosecution

Government body bring a criminal charge against a defendant Government body bring a criminal charge against a defendant Judge- apply the law to the conflict Judge- apply the law to the conflict Remain neutral Remain neutral Jury- decides facts of the case Jury- decides facts of the case

Interpreting the law What the law means What the law means Allowed by the constitution??? Allowed by the constitution??? Precedent- guideline for how all similar cases should be decided in the future Precedent- guideline for how all similar cases should be decided in the future

Meaning of the law clearer Meaning of the law clearer How the law should be applied How the law should be applied

State Courts and Federal Courts Most legal cases begin in a lower court Most legal cases begin in a lower court Each state has courts at different levels of govt. and courts for different purposes Each state has courts at different levels of govt. and courts for different purposes

Municipal courts operate on the city level Municipal courts operate on the city level Juvenile courts Juvenile courts Traffic courts Traffic courtsJurisdiction Original- hear the case first Original- hear the case first

Also called trial courts Also called trial courts appeal appeal Appellate jurisdiction- authority to hear an appeal Appellate jurisdiction- authority to hear an appeal Reviews legal issues Reviews legal issues Can reverse decision Can reverse decision

Can order a new trial Can order a new trial Federal courts Federal laws Federal laws Appealed from state supreme courts Appealed from state supreme courts