1. The Role and Organization of the Courts
The Judicial Branch
The Role and Organization of the Courts

2. What does the Court Do? Civil- court settles a disagreement
Plaintiff: individual or group that brings a complaint against another party
Defendant: individual or group defending against the complaint
Criminal- court determines if someone has broken a law
Prosecution: a government body that brings a criminal charge against a defendant who is accused of breaking a law.

3. Interpreting the Law
A court’s decision can establish a precedent, a guideline for how all similar cases should be decided in the future

4. State and Federal Courts
The court to which a legal case goes first has original jurisdiction, the authority to hear a case first
Appeal: ask a higher court to review the decision and determine if justice was done
Appeals Courts: have appellate jurisdiction
Does not hold a trial, reviews the legal issues
Can order a re-trial (unless originally declared innocent)

5. Federal Court
Cases involving federal laws and issues beyond the authority of individual states
Cases appealed from state supreme courts