1. North Carolina Judicial Branch Chapter 13 Section 3

2. Levels of Courts 4 Levels of Courts District and Superior Courts are trial courts Appeals and Supreme Courts are appeals courts NC Supreme Court NC Court of Appeals NC Superior Court NC District Court

3. NC District Courts Criminal cases- misdemeanors (minor crimes) such as traffic disputes Criminal cases- misdemeanors (minor crimes) such as traffic disputes Civil cases- disputes involving less than $10,000 such as divorce Civil cases- disputes involving less than $10,000 such as divorce Judge decides verdict Judge decides verdict Voters elect judges for 4 year terms Voters elect judges for 4 year terms Judge must live in the district in which they serve Judge must live in the district in which they serve

4. NC Superior Courts Criminal- felonies (major crimes) such as murder Criminal- felonies (major crimes) such as murder Civil- disputes involving more than $10,000 Civil- disputes involving more than $10,000 Jury decides verdict Jury decides verdict Superior Court judges are elected and appointed by the governor Superior Court judges are elected and appointed by the governor

5. NC Court of Appeals Hears most cases appealed from District and Superior Courts Hears most cases appealed from District and Superior Courts 3 judges hear a case 3 judges hear a case 2 of 3 must agree in order to reach a decision 2 of 3 must agree in order to reach a decision Voters elect 15 judges for 8 year terms Voters elect 15 judges for 8 year terms

6. NC Supreme Court Reviews cases from lower courts Reviews cases from lower courts Decide which cases they want to hear Decide which cases they want to hear Hears appeals of all death sentences Hears appeals of all death sentences Interprets the state’s constitution and laws Interprets the state’s constitution and laws 7 Justices 7 Justices 1 Chief Justice 1 Chief Justice 6 Associate Justices 6 Associate Justices Majority must agree to reach a decision Majority must agree to reach a decision Decision is final unless it violates the US Constitution Decision is final unless it violates the US Constitution Voters elect Justices for an 8 year term Voters elect Justices for an 8 year term

7. Other Judicial Officers Magistrate- at least 1 per county, issue search warrants, issue arrest warrants Magistrate- at least 1 per county, issue search warrants, issue arrest warrants District Attorney- represents the state in all criminal cases (always prosecutor) District Attorney- represents the state in all criminal cases (always prosecutor) Lawyer- represent defendants (always defense) Lawyer- represent defendants (always defense) Public Defender- represent defendants if they can not afford a lawyer Public Defender- represent defendants if they can not afford a lawyer Clerk of Court- 1 per county, establishing the validity of wills, conducting the sale of property to pay off owner’s debts (foreclosure) Clerk of Court- 1 per county, establishing the validity of wills, conducting the sale of property to pay off owner’s debts (foreclosure)