Law and Justice 3.1

Federal Court System

The Three-tiered structure of federal court

State Court System

The three court levels, trial court, appellate court, and state court

Jurisdiction

the territory, subject matter, or people over which a court may exercise lawful authority

Original jurisdiction

the lawful authority of a court to hear cases and to pass judgement

Appellate jursidiction

the lawful authoirty of a court to review a decision made by a lower court

Courts of limited jursidiction

authorized to hear less serious cases, rarely holds trials and is much less formal.

Courts of general jurisdiction

authorized to hear any criminal case, operate within a fact-finding framework

Court of last resort

the highest court in a jurisdiction, with the ultimate authority to interpret laws and adjudicate appeals.

Appeal

Request that a higher court review actions of a lower court

Judicial Review

the power of a court to review actions and decisions made by other agencies of government

Judge

an elected or appointed public official who presides over a court of law

Prosecutor

An attorney whose official duty is to conduct criminal proceedings on behalf of the state or the people against those accused of having committed criminal offenses

Defense counsel / attorney

A licensed trial lawyer hired or appointed to conduct the legal defense of a person accused of a crime

Exculpatory Evidence

any information having a tendency to clear a person of guilt or blame

Public Defender

an attorney employed by a government agency, for the purpose of providing defense serves to indigents

expert witness

may express opinions or draw conlcusions in their testimony

lay witness

must testify to facts only and may not draw conclusions or express opinion

subpoena

mandate that books, papers, and other items be surrendered to the court

change of venue

may be made in a criminal case to ensure that the defendant receives a fair trial