Lecture 2.3 - US Court System

How many court systems are there in the US?

Two Separate Systems:

1. State Court System

2. Federal Court System

What percentage of cases to state courts handle?

About 95% of all cases

What type of jurisdiction do state courts have?

General jurisdiction - they can hear almost any case, except when Congress grants exclusive federal jurisdiction (rare)

Typical hierarchy of state courts:

1. Trial Courts (Superior/Circuit/District)

2. Intermediate Appellate Courts

3. State Supreme Court

Can the US Supreme Court review State Supreme court decisions?

Only if there is a federal law or constitutional issue.

• State law issues are final at the state supreme court.

Structure of the Federal Court System - Trial Level?

U.S. District Courts

• One in every state

• Original jurisdiction

• Civil and criminal cases

• Trial by judge or jury

Structure of the Federal Appellate level?

U.S. Court of Appeals (Circuit Courts)

• 13 circuits

• Appeal as of right

• Usually a 3-judge panel

• Review legal issues, not facts

Structure of the highest federal court?

U.S. Supreme Court

• 9 justices, life tenure

• Chooses which cases to hear

• Needs 4 justices to accept a case

• Only hears cases involving federal questions

Can the US Supreme Court hear all State Supreme Court appeals?

No

• Only cases involving federal law or constitutional questions. State law issues remain with the State Supreme Court.