Federal and State courts

Branch of government that explains/interprets laws

judicial branch

The national government of the USA

Federal goverment

Division of government powers into 3 equal and distinct branches

Seperation of Powers

a case to settle a dispute of a noncriminal nature

civil case

a case involving someone who is accused of committing an illegal activity that harms people or property

criminal case

Court of original jurisdiction where cases begin and verdicts are decided

trial court

A court's authority to jurisdiction review cases and issues that were originally tried in lower (trial) courts.

appellate jurisdiction

Authority of the US Supreme Court to declare laws and action as unconstitutional

judicial review

Court of original jurisdiction where cases begin and verdicts are decided

trial court

The authority of a court that hears a case first, usually in a trial in which a verdict/decision is reached.

original jurisdiction

a court's decision in a court case

verdict

US District Court

lowest federal court, with original jurisdiction of federal criminal and civil cases, with judge, jury, that reaches a verdict.

US Appeal Court

intermediate/middle federal court with appellate jurisdiction of cases from US District Court; can overturn or uphold convictions, or grant retrials.

US Supreme Court

the highest court of the United States; it sits at the top of the federal court system, court with power of judicial review

judicial reivew

the authoirty of the US Supreme Court to detemine if laws and actions are unconstitutional

unconstitutional

describes a law or action that violates the US Constitution

Powers include vetoing laws, appoint judges and officials, granting pardons/reprieves, writing federal annual budget

Federal Executive Branch/President

Powers include approving federal budget and treaties, approving appointments of judges and officials, impeaching president and officials

Federal Legislative Branch/US Congress

Powers include trying and sentencing lawbreakers, judicial review

Federal Judicial Branch/US Supreme Court

Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court (JDR)

Virginia court that hears cases involing people under age 18 and cases unvolving family matters.

General District Court (GDC)

Virginia court that has original jurisdiction over misdemeanor crminal cases and low dollar civil cases; no jury

Circuit Court

Virginia court that has original jurisdiction over felony criminal cases and higher dollar civil cases; judge and jury; has appellate jurisdiction over cases from JDR and GDC

Virginia Court of Appeals

Virginia court with judges and no jury.

Appellate jurisdiction of cases from Circuit Court;

Virginia Supreme Court

highest court in Virginia with power of judicial reivew and appellate jurisdiction from lower state courts; justices with no jury

Marbury V Madison (1803)

This case establishes the Supreme Court's power of Judicial Review