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The judicial branch interprets the laws (makes decisions). The judicial branch is made up of Court Judges = ELECTED OFFICIALS Juries = Everyday citizens. They hear civil and criminal cases

Civil Person vs. person Results in decisions involving $. Uses juries Gov’t vs. person Results in decisions involving punishment and money. (fines) Sometimes uses juries Criminal

Felony Serious crime Results in at least one year in jail and or at least $1000 fine Examples Armed robbery Murder Rape Battery Less serious crime Results in less than one year in prison and a fine less then $1000 Examples DUI Assault Shop-lifting Misdemeanor

State Court Hears criminal cases and large sum civil cases (over $15,000) Juvenile Court Hears cases of minors, those under 17. Probate Court Deals with wills, trusts and inheritance issues Magistrate Court Deals with small infractions and civil cases Superior Court Oversees local courts and hears significant local cases, cases where there are no state courts and divorces. Appeals Court Hears cases when the loser from a lower court wants the case retried. Can be criminal or civil Supreme Court Hears cases being retried from lower courts. It is the last stop. They only hear important cases.

Grand Jury Decides if there is enough evidence for a person to be formally accused of a trial. A criminal goes to this before their actually trial. This is the group of citizens who hears the actual trial. They decide if someone is guilt or innocent. Trial Jury If you are called to serve on a jury you MUST do it. Jury duty and voting are the two most important responsibilities of a United States Citizen. Jury Duty is mandatory, voting is not.