1. Highlights: State and Federal Courts
SS.7.C.3.11/SS.7.C.2.6
Diagram the levels, functions, and powers of courts at the
state and federal levels.
Terri Susan Fine, Ph.D.
Content Specialist, Florida Joint Center for Citizenship

2. Benchmarks SS
Diagram the levels, functions, and powers of courts at the state and federal levels.
SS.7.2.6
Simulate the trial process and the role of juries in the administration of justice.

3. What is the Purpose of a Court System?
“…though individual oppression may now and then proceed from the courts of justice, the general liberty of the people can never be endangered from that quarter; I mean so long as the judiciary remains truly distinct from both the legislature and the Executive. For I agree, that "there is no liberty, if the power of judging be not separated from the legislative and executive powers" (Montesquieu). And it proves, in the last place, that as liberty can have nothing to fear from the judiciary alone, but would have every thing to fear from its union with either of the other departments; … The complete independence of the courts of justice is peculiarly essential in a limited Constitution….Limitations … can be preserved in practice no other way than through the medium of courts of justice, whose duty it must be to declare all acts contrary to the manifest tenor of the Constitution void. Without this, all the reservations of particular rights or privileges would amount to nothing. Alexander Hamilton, Federalist #78 (1788)

4. The Design of the U.S. Court System in the U.S. Constitution
Article III, Section 1 (see Benchmark 3.3): The judicial Power of the United States shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.

5. The Powers of the U.S. Court System in the U.S. Constitution
Type of Power
Constitution Text from Article III, Section 2
Example
Original jurisdiction
In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction.
Louisiana v. Mississippi (1995): Both states claimed ownership of a 2000 acre area that stretched seven miles along the Louisiana bank of the Mississippi river. The U.S. Supreme Court sided with Mississippi in this dispute.
Appellate jurisdiction
In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make.
Miranda v. Arizona (1966): Ernesto Miranda, a Mexican immigrant, was arrested in his home for criminal acts. He confessed his crimes to police after two hours of questioning. Miranda argued that his Fifth Amendment self-incrimination protections were violated. The Supreme Court of Arizona upheld Miranda’s conviction, and the case was later heard by the U.S. Supreme Court (see Benchmark 3.12).

6. The Judicial Branch in Florida: Florida Supreme Court
Description
Jurisdiction
Case Example
The highest Court in Florida is the Supreme Court. Seven justices sit on the Florida Supreme Court.
Article V of the Florida Constitution outlines the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction although the legislature may add to the Court’s constitutional powers.
The Court must review final orders imposing death sentences (see Benchmark 2.4) and district court decisions declaring a State statute or provision of the State Constitution invalid.
Ana Maria Cardona v. State of Florida (2013):
Death sentences are automatically appealed to the Florida Supreme Court (see Benchmark 2.4).

7. The Judicial Branch in Florida: District Courts of Appeal
Description
Jurisdiction
Case Example
Most trial cases that are appealed are reviewed by three-judge panels of the District Courts of Appeal.
DCAs hear appeals from final judgments and review certain non-final orders. District courts have the power to review final actions taken by state agencies in carrying out the duties of the executive branch.
District courts may issue writs of certiorari (see Benchmark 3.8) and habeas corpus (see Benchmark 2.5). .
Richard Raynard Bowers v. State of Florida (2013).
Mr. Bowers challenged a burglary conviction on the grounds that certain testimony was allowed at his trial that should not have been allowed. Mr. Bowers lost his appeal.

8. The Judicial Branch in Florida: Circuit Courts
Description
Jurisdiction
Case Example
Most jury trials in Florida take place before one judge sitting as judge of the circuit court. Most criminal and civil cases originate at this level. There are 20 circuit courts in Florida.
Circuit courts have general trial jurisdiction over matters not assigned by statute to the county courts and also hear appeals from county court cases. Thus, circuit courts are simultaneously the highest trial courts and the lowest appellate courts in Florida's judicial system.
(Source: Florida Supreme Court Public Information Link)
Circuit courts may rule on civil disputes involving more than $15,000, controversies involving wills and estates, juvenile cases (see Benchmark 3.10), felonies, and other matters.

9. The Judicial Branch in Florida: County Courts
Description
Jurisdiction
Case Example
Each county in Florida has a county court. The number of county judges in any county is determined by the population and caseload in that county.
The trial jurisdiction of county courts is established by statute.
County courts may rule on civil disputes involving $15,000 or less, and most non-jury trials including misdemeanors and other less serious criminal matters.