1. Chapter 3
Court Systems

2. 3-1 Forms of Dispute Resolution
How Can Disputes be Resolved Without Going to Court?
When two parties decide to allow a court to resolve their disputes, litigation occurs.
Alternatives to litigation:
Mediator – an independent third party whose actions are advisory.
Arbitrator – holds informal hearings to determine what happened. The decision of an arbitrator is binding and can be enforced by a court.

3. 3-1 Forms of Dispute Resolution
How Do Courts Settle Disputes?
A court is a governmental forum that administers justice under the law.
Courts decide disputes between private individuals
A court may award damages or order other appropriate relief in resolving private disputes
Courts try criminal cases
A court may impose punishment: fine or imprisonment

4. 3-1 Forms of Dispute Resolution
TRIAL COURTS
A trial court is the court in which a dispute is first heard.
Hears witnesses testify
Reviews pertinent evidence firsthand so as to determine the facts of a case
A verdict is reached: decision in the case
Because a trial court has the power to make initial decisions of fact and law, a trial court is said to have original jurisdiction over the case.

5. 3-1 Forms of Dispute Resolution
TRIAL COURTS
Judge – chief officer
Lawyers – officer of the court
Clerks – enters cases on the court calendar, keeps records of proceedings
Sheriffs (Bailiffs) – summons witnesses, keeps order
Marshals – same duties as sheriffs in federal court
Jury – citizens sworn by a court to decide issues of fact in court cases.

6. 3-1 Forms of Dispute Resolution
APPELLATE COURTS
An appellate court reviews decisions of lower courts when a party claims an error of law was made during the lower court’s proceeding.
Appellate jurisdiction is concerned solely with issues of law.

7. 3-1 Forms of Dispute Resolution
APPELLATE COURTS
Appellate courts examine transcripts (verbatim records of what went on at trial.
They also read appellate briefs (written arguments on the issues of law, submitted by the opposing attorneys.
Appellate courts also listen to attorneys’ oral arguments and ask questions regarding the case.

8. 3-1 Forms of Dispute Resolution
APPELLATE COURTS
Appellate courts examine transcripts (verbatim records of what went on at trial.
They also read appellate briefs (written arguments on the issues of law, submitted by the opposing attorneys.
Appellate courts also listen to attorneys’ oral arguments and ask questions regarding the case.

9. 3-1 Forms of Dispute Resolution
APPELLATE COURTS
Appellate court decision options:
affirmed (upheld)
reversed (overturned)
amended (changed)
remanded (sent back to trial)

10. 3-2 The Federal Court System
Origin of the Federal Court System
Article III Section 1
The judicial Power of the United States shall be vested in one Supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from times to time ordain and establish.
The Articles of Confederation did not allow for a Supreme Court.

11. 3-2 The Federal Court System
Jurisdiction of the Federal Court System
Levels of Federal Courts with General Jurisdiction:
Federal District Courts
Federal Court of Appeals
U.S. Supreme Court

12. 3-2 The Federal Court System
Jurisdiction of the Federal Court System
Federal District Courts
The lowest of federal courts with general jurisdiction – can hear almost any kind of case.
Has the power to hear facts and make initial determinations of the law to use in deciding the case.

13. 3-2 The Federal Court System
Jurisdiction of the Federal Court System
Federal District Courts
District Courts have original jurisdiction over the following cases:
federal questions, cases that arise under the Constitution, U.S. Law and U.S. treaties.
Lawsuits between citizens of different states – diversity of citizenship 
Lawsuits between a U.S. citizen and a citizen of a foreign nation – diversity of citizenship 
These diversity of citizenship cases must be is dispute of a minimum of $75,000. Otherwise a state court will decide the case.

14. 3-2 The Federal Court System
Jurisdiction of the Federal Court System
Federal Courts of Appeals
Has appellate jurisdiction over the district courts, certain specialized federal courts, and many federal administrative agencies
Do not accept any new evidence or call witnesses
There are 13 federal courts of appeal
12 circuit courts
1 dedicated to exclusive jurisdiction over specialized jurisdictions such as claims against the federal government, claims by veterans, trademark and patent appeals, government contract disputes.

15. 3-2 The Federal Court System
Jurisdiction of the Federal Court System
United States Supreme Court
Original Jurisdiction
Cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls and those in which a state shall be party.

16. 3-2 The Federal Court System
Jurisdiction of the Federal Court System
United States Supreme Court
Appellate Jurisdiction
Limited to cases in which a federal question has ben brought out at the trial court level.
A decision by the USSC is final and can only be overturned by the USSC itself or by a constitutional amendment.

17. 3-2 The Federal Court System
Jurisdiction of the Federal Court System
United States Supreme Court
Appellate Jurisdiction
USSC can issue a writ of certiorani – an order that compels the lower court to turn over the record of the case for review.

18. A Typical State Court System State Trial Courts

19. A Typical State Court System
3-2 State Court Systems
A Typical State Court System
State Trial Courts
Also known as circuit courts, these state courts are the court of record (criminal and civil) with general original jurisdiction.
State trial courts can also review the decisions of courts more specialized jurisdiction (small claims courts – not courts or record)

20. A Typical State Court System
3-2 State Court Systems
A Typical State Court System
State Trial Courts
Original jurisdiction means that a state trial court makes determinations of the facts.
A jury can be requested by the parties
Judge can determine the facts (bench trial)

21. A Typical State Court System
3-2 State Court Systems
A Typical State Court System
State Court of Appeals
An appeal from a court of record is typically reviewed by a panel of judges in a state court of appeals.
No new evidence can be introduced at this level.
State Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over most state impeachment cases.
Michigan State Supreme Court

22. State Courts with Specialized Jurisdictions
3-2 State Court Systems
State Courts with Specialized Jurisdictions
Associate Circuit Courts
Also known as county courts
hear minor criminal cases, state traffic offenses and lawsuits involving small amounts (under $25,000)
generally not a court of record

23. State Courts with Specialized Jurisdictions
3-2 State Court Systems
State Courts with Specialized Jurisdictions
City or Municipal Courts
Divided into traffic and non-traffic divisions
A violation of a city ordinance is brought before municipal courts for the first trial
Ordinances are not considered criminal law

24. State Courts with Specialized Jurisdictions
3-2 State Court Systems
State Courts with Specialized Jurisdictions
Small Claims Courts
Handle disputes involving less than $2,500
Attorneys are typically not required
The judge hears the case without a jury or formal rules of evidence
Decisions of small claims courts can be appealed to a state trial court
Is Judge Judy real?

25. State Courts with Specialized Jurisdictions
3-2 State Court Systems
State Courts with Specialized Jurisdictions
Probate Courts
These courts administer wills and estates

26. State Courts with Specialized Jurisdictions
3-2 State Court Systems
State Courts with Specialized Jurisdictions
Juvenile Courts
Members of society older than 13 and younger than 18
Juveniles are entitled to their full constitutional rights
Criminal cases involving juveniles do not become public knowledge
The emphasis for juveniles is rehabilitation, not punishment
Appeals from the juvenile court are directed to circuit courts

27. State Courts with Specialized Jurisdictions Juvenile Courts
3-2 State Court Systems
State Courts with Specialized Jurisdictions Juvenile Courts

28. State Courts with Specialized Jurisdictions
3-2 State Court Systems
State Courts with Specialized Jurisdictions
Juvenile Courts
Members of society older than 13 and younger than 18
Juveniles are entitled to their full constitutional rights
Criminal cases involving juveniles do not become public knowledge
The emphasis for juveniles is rehabilitation, not punishment
Appeals from the juvenile court are directed to circuit courts