The Legal System Chp. 30

Structure of the Legal System Trial Court – the first court to hear a case Appellate Court – has the authority to review the judgment of a lower court Civil Court – Has the authority to hear non-criminal cases Divorce, contract or copyright cases Criminal Court – Hears cases involving punishable offenses against society

Court Personnel Judge Presiding officer in the court and is either elected or appointed. Clerk Keeps records of the proceedings, handles all evidence, administers oath Reporter Keeps a word by word record of the trial Bailiff Maintain order in the courtroom at the instruction of the judge Jury Body of citizens sworn by a court to hear the facts submitted during a trial and to render a verdict.

Court Proceedings 1. Someone files a complaint, worded in legally acceptable format called a pleading 2. The person at whom the lawsuit is aimed is served, or receives notice of the suit 3. The attorneys for both parties gather information in a period called discovery 4. A trial takes place and the court makes a decision 5. The losing party may appeal the decision to a higher court