1. American Court Structure
Analyze how the duel court system works in the U.S.

2. Dual Court System Separate System for the state and for the Federal
Jurisdiction- authority to hear and decide cases
Original Jurisdiction- case first brought to court
Appellate- review cases for errors
General- power to hear any case
Special- Only hear specialized cases- U.S. Tax Court
Subject Matter- cases based on subjects
Personal- courts authority over parties to a lawsuit
Dual Court System

3. Federal Courts District Courts-94- mostly Federal
Original Jurisdiction
Judges serve 10 years, Supervising judge serves for life
Trial by jury offered if wanted
Civil can be heard by 3 judges
Criminal Cases
Federal Courts

4. Federal Courts Circuit Court of Appeals-13 courts(179 judges)
Selected by the President- run for life
149,000 a year
Help with supreme court case load
Federal Courts

5. Federal Courts U.S. Supreme Court- (9 Judges)
Final Constitutionality (Judicial Review)
Only federal laws not state
Rule of 4
Chief and 8 Justices
Affirm
Modify
Reverse
Federal Courts

6. Trial Courts – 13,000
Misdemeanor
Summary Trial
State Courts

7. Appellate Court Civil and Criminal Cases
Review trial courts official Transcript
Appellate Court

8. Purpose of the Court System
Justice, Accomplish Due Process,
Provide an environment for disputes
Censure Wrong doing
Incapacitate
Punish, Rehabilitation, General Deterrence
Determine legal status, Protect people against the government
Purpose of the Court System