court system

4 primary functions of criminal courts

1. due process

2. crime control (emphasizing punishment)

3. rehabilitation function

4. bureaucratic function (speed and efficiency)

geographic jurisdiction vs subject-matter jurisdiction

geogrraphic jurisdiction = a court’s authority over a physical area

subject - matter = the types of cases a court is authorized to hear.

trial vs appellate courts

trial courts- original jurisdiction that determine facts and guilt or innocence.

appellate courts - review trial court decision and focus on questions of law.

3-tiered structure of federal court system

U.S. District Courts →U.S. Courts of Appeals →Supreme court

how is a federal judge appointed

president nominates a federal judge, the Senate judiciary committee holds hearings, and the Senate votes to confirm or regect the nominee.

three basic features of the adversary system

neutral decision maker, opposing parties presenting evidence, and structured procedures governing the trial process

Missouri plan

A merit-based judicial selection system where a commission nominates candidates, the governor appoints one, and the voters later decide in a retention election.

what is nolle proseque and why will it be used

is a prosecutor’s decision not to pursue charges, often due to insufficient evidence, limited resources, offense seriousness, or uncooperative victims.

bailiff

a court official responsible for maintaining security.

concurrent jurisdiction

when more than one court has authority to heat the same case

dissenting opinion

a written opinion by a judge who disagrees with the court’s majority decision.

information

a formal criminal charge issued by a prosecutor after a preliminary hearing

magistrate

a lower-court judge who handles minor cases.