1. The Supreme Court and Inferior Courts
The Judicial Branch
The Supreme Court and Inferior Courts

2. The Third Branch of Government
Article III of the Constitution
Created the Supreme Court (SCOTUS)
All other courts created by Congress
Checks and balances of power
Lower Courts known as Inferior Courts
Federal System, not the States.
District, Appellate (Appeals), and Special Courts

3. How can you end up in Court?
Breaking the law
Theft
Assault
Traffic violations
Drug/Alcohol offenses
Things illegal for minors
Destruction of property
Sexual assault
Murder
Etc.
Disputes between 2 parties
Divorce
Accidents
Individual vs. individual
Individual vs. Company
State vs. Company
State vs. Fed Government
Individual vs Fed Gov’t
Etc.
CRIMINAL
CIVIL

4. Criminal Cases Law has been broken
Court determines if the accused is innocent or guilty
If guilty, penalty must be determined by court as well
Can be judge or jury
Cases brought to court by the prosecution (government body charging a person with breaking the law) against the defendant (the accused)

5. Civil Cases Disagreement between two parties
Usually monetary, no criminal charges
Plaintiff-person who brings complaint against the other party
Defendant-Person who defends himself against the complaint

6. Judges
No matter civil or criminal, judge make sure the law is applied fairly to both sides in the case
Usually a jury decides the facts of the case
Judges answer legal questions for the jury
Supreme Court and Court of Appeals don’t have juries, just panels of judges
How the court interprets the law has lasting effects
Becomes precedent- a guideline to judge future similar cases

8. State and Federal Courts
Most laws that deal with everyday actions are state and local, so most violations of law are handled in the state court system
Municipal court, juvenile court, traffic court, etc.
Original jurisdiction: where a case is first heard
If the defendant thinks the ruling was unjust, he or she can appeal to a higher court
Appeals court review the case, but do not attempt to determine facts, but rule on if the law was fairly applied in the case

9. State and Federal Courts (cont.)
Appeals of state court decisions can be made to federal courts if constitutionality is questioned
Federal court hear two types of cases in general
Cases involving federal law (thus the court of original jurisdiction)
Appeals from state supreme courts
Supreme Court ruling can’t be appealed since there is no higher court