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Flashcards about state court systems in the U.S.
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State Trial Courts
Courts of first instance or trial courts that hear cases initially.
Family Courts
Courts that handle divorce, child support, and related issues.
Probate Courts
Courts dealing with inheritance and estate matters.
Juvenile Courts
Courts for criminal cases involving minors.
Intermediate Appellate Court
The next level up from trial courts in the state system.
State Supreme Court
The highest court in a state's judicial system.
Supreme Judicial Court (SJC)
Massachusetts' highest court, the final arbiter of Massachusetts law.
Massachusetts Trial Court
The lowest rung in the Massachusetts court system
District Court Department
One of the seven departments of the Massachusetts Trial Court; confusingly named.
Boston Municipal Court Department
Has the same jurisdiction as the District Court, but it covers only the Boston area.
Trial Courts Responsibility
Trial courts are the main finders of fact and appellate courts will defer heavily on those factual findings.
Importance of Hierarchy
The intermediate appellate court is bound by the state Supreme Court, and the trial court is bound by the intermediate appellate court.
Judicial Elections in US States
90% of state judges face popular elections.
Merit Selection
A judicial nominating committee generates a list from which the governor of the state chooses whom to appoint.