courts

State Court System

trial courts

Appellate courts

State supreme courts

Federal Court circuits

US district courts

US court of appeals

Us Supreme Court

• Trial court of general jurisdiction(state)

• Superior courts 

• Trial courts

• Circuit courts 

• Courts of Common Pleas

Trial de Novo

A new trial conducted in an appellate court as if the original trial had not occurred.

• Federal district courts 

• 94 district courts 

• 3 territorial courts

Writ of Certiorari

An order by a higher court to a lower court to send the records of a case for review.

Bail

A set amount of money or property that an accused individual must provide to secure their release from jail until their trial.

• Basic Federal Courts

• District federal courts 

• US tax court

• US Court of International Trade

• US claims court

• US court of veteran appeals 

• Court of Military review 

• Appeal 

• Attorneys from both sides make brief oral argument 

• Death sentence and life imprisonment are automatically appealed 

• Appellate jurisdiction seeking to modify or reverse the case decision 

Review the written transcript record to make sure that proper proceedings were followed

• Conviction overturned by appellate court 

• Trial remanded /new trial 

• Overturn appellate court for issues 

• Recourses to state supreme when statute issues

• Recourses to US supreme with constitutional issues

Grand Jury

A group that hears evidence to determine if there is enough to bring an accused person to trial.

Bail alternatives

•  

  • Release on recognize 

  • Property bonds 

  • Deposit bail 

  • Conditional release

  • 3rd party custody 

  • Unsecured bond 

  • Signature bond

• Probate courts 

• The court was involved with managing the affairs of the deceased 

• wills, estates, guardianships, and mental health cases. 

Nolo Contendere Plea

A legal term meaning 'no contest'; a defendant accepts conviction but does not admit guilt.

Subpoena

A written order requiring an individual to appear in court and testify or produce evidence.

Conditional Release

Release of a defendant under specific conditions, such as treatment participation or restraining orders.

Signature Bond

A bond based solely on the defendant's written promise to appear in court.

Lay Witness

A witness who testifies about facts and does not express opinions.

Probate Courts

Courts that manage the affairs of deceased individuals, including wills and estates.

District Federal Courts

Federal courts where most federal cases are tried, divided into 94 districts.

Information

A formal written accusation submitted to a court by a prosecutor alleging that a specific person committed a specific offense.

Appellate Jurisdiction

The authority of a court to review decisions made by lower courts.

Trial Courts of Limited Jurisdiction

Courts that handle minor offenses and specialized cases, such as misdemeanor courts.

Unsecured Bond

A bond where the defendant agrees to forfeit a specified amount if they fail to appear for their court date.

Closing Arguments

The final statements made by attorneys to summarize the case for the jury.

Jury Deliberation

The process by which a jury discusses the evidence presented in the case to reach a verdict.

Verdict

The formal decision made by a jury regarding the guilt or innocence of the defendant.

Signature Bonds

A bond that allows defendants to promise their appearance without monetary deposit.