1. United States Court System
How do cases reach the Supreme Court?

2. Dual Court System…
State System
Federal System

3. SCOTUS: Who are they?
Highest court of the land (both federal and state)
Article 3
Nine justices, meet in Washington, D.C. – serve for LIFE
Term starts the FIRST MONDAY in October
Mostly appellate JURISDICTION through certiorari process
Limited original JURISDITION (Article 3)
cases come to court per year – Decide 150

4. Work of SCOTUS… Briefs are written and filed with the court
Amicus curiae briefs are submitted
Briefs reviewed by court and RULE OF FOUR applied
Some cases decided- some cases have oral arguments
Justices conference about cases
Decision made and opinion(s) written

5. Types of OPINIONS are… Majority – 51% or more agree
Dissenting – justices who DON’T agree
Concurring – agree but for different reasons
Unanimous – all agree

6. Differences in types of courts…
Federal
Federal crimes/treaties
Civil suites between citizens of different states
Bankruptcy
Review actions of federal agencies
All federal judges nominated by president-approved by Senate
State
State statues/laws
Civil and family issues
Judges may be elected or appointed by government officials

7. JURISDICTION is… The right of the court to hear the case
Original – first court to hear case
Appellate – case heard to determine constitutional question
Exclusive – can only be heard by one court
Concurrent – can be heard by more than one court at a time.
The right of the court to hear the case

8. Criminal cases…
Case brought by state/District Attorney when crime is committed
Action threatens public safety (indictment v grand jury) – penalty determines whether it is felony or misdemeanor
Legal standard is reasonable doubt
Verdict is GUILTY or NOT GUILTY
Determined by statute (felony v misdemeanor)

9. Civil cases… PLAINTIFF brings suit for damages
Non-criminal, based on code of behavior (Justinian’s), jurisprudence
Legal standard is PREPONDERANCE of EVIDENCE by plaintiff
Verdict based on who provided the legal standard
Punishment is damages NOT prison