State Court Systems in the U.S.

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Flashcards about state court systems in the U.S.

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14 Terms

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State Trial Courts

Courts of first instance or trial courts that hear cases initially.

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Family Courts

Courts that handle divorce, child support, and related issues.

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Probate Courts

Courts dealing with inheritance and estate matters.

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Juvenile Courts

Courts for criminal cases involving minors.

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Intermediate Appellate Court

The next level up from trial courts in the state system.

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State Supreme Court

The highest court in a state's judicial system.

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Supreme Judicial Court (SJC)

Massachusetts' highest court, the final arbiter of Massachusetts law.

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Massachusetts Trial Court

The lowest rung in the Massachusetts court system

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District Court Department

One of the seven departments of the Massachusetts Trial Court; confusingly named.

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Boston Municipal Court Department

Has the same jurisdiction as the District Court, but it covers only the Boston area.

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Trial Courts Responsibility

Trial courts are the main finders of fact and appellate courts will defer heavily on those factual findings.

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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.

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Judicial Elections in US States

90% of state judges face popular elections.

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Merit Selection

A judicial nominating committee generates a list from which the governor of the state chooses whom to appoint.