Chapter 2: Courts and the Legal Process

Subject-Matter Jurisdiction

A court’s legal authority to hear a particular type of case

What are the 3 levels to a Federal Court?

District Courts, Courts of Appeal, U.S. Supreme Court

Original Jurisdiction

Authority to hear and decide a matter in the first place

Appellate Jurisdiction

Authority to review a decision made by a lower court

General Jurisdiction

Broad authority to hear many types of civil and criminal matters

Trial Court

Receives evidence, hear witnesses, resolve disputed facts, and apply law to those facts

Appellate Courts

Primarily reviews whether the lower court made legal/procedural errors

Federal-Question Jurisdiction

A case involving an issue arising under federal law or the U.S. Constitution

Diversity Jurisdiction

Allows certain cases involving citizens of different states to be heard in federal court

What is the amount-in-controversy requirement for Diversity Jurisdiction?

$75,000

Removal

The case is moved from state court to federal court

Remand

The case is moved back to state court from federal court

Reverse

Overturn lower court’s decision

Affirm

Keep lower court’s decision