1. State Courts

2. State Courts
Responsible for interpreting state laws and for punishing those who break them
Federal and state courts handle both criminal and civil cases
Criminal- violations of the law that harm individuals or the community
Civil- deal with disputes between individuals, businesses, and the government
Usually focus on property or money
In civil cases, people who file the complaint, or lawsuit, are referred to as the plaintiff

3. Lower Courts
Generally hear minor cases (misdemeanors, civil cases involving small amounts of money)
In smaller towns/rural areas these courts are presided over by a justice of the peace
Larger cities have municipal courts- divided into smaller courts that deal with specific types of cases
Traffic violations, family-relations, etc. etc.
Judges in the lower courts usually make decisions without a jury
In some courts, lawyers are not necessary- people involved explain their case to the judge and the judge makes a decision

4. General Trial Courts
Major criminal and civil cases heard by a jury and presided over by an elected judge
Some trial courts hear only criminal or civil cases
Sometimes referred to as district courts

5. Appeals Courts
Determine if the right to a fair trial was violated in the lower court
No juries- group of judges reviews the decisions/records of the lower court and hears arguments from the lawyers
Determine if the accused person got a fair trial
If the accused person disagrees with the appeals court, he/she can appeal the case further to the state supreme court

6. State Supreme Court Highest court in most states
Hears appeals much like the U.S. Supreme Court
Supreme court justices are either elected or appointed in some states
Decisions of state supreme courts are final

7. Overcrowded Courts State courts are often too overburdened with cases
Some cases take years to hear
Jails are overcrowded with accused persons awaiting trial
Don’t have money to post bail and there are many other cases ahead of theirs on the court schedule
Backlog of cases makes it impossible to guarantee the Constitutional right to a speedy trial

8. Overcrowded Courts Three major reasons:
More cases than ever before and not enough judges
Trials are long and slow
Some courts not run efficiently
Judges call frequent recesses or lawyers use delaying tactics
Some courts need to upgrade their equipment with new technologies to speed up process
Improvements to the speed and efficiency of the state courts is a serious concern for all U.S. citizens

9. ? What is the responsibility of state courts?
What is the difference between criminal and civil cases?
What are municipal courts?
What are the highest courts in the states?
What are the three major reasons that state courts are so far behind in their caseloads?