CRJ 100 - Chapter 13 (part 1)

What is Adjudication?

it is the formal process for resolving legal disputes

What is meant by Jurisdiction?

it is the power or authority given to a court to hear and adjudicate a dispute

What is meant by Original Jurisdiction?

it is the authority to hear a case from its beginning and pass judgment on both the law and the facts

What is meant by Appellate Jurisdiction?

it is the authority of a court to review (by an appeal) a decision made by a lower court of original jurisdiction

What types of cases do Subject-Matter Jurisdictions involve?

it involves the types of cases that may be adjudicated by a court of original jurisdiction

What are Minor Trial Courts?

they are courts that typically have a limited subject-matter jurisdiction over civil cases

What are Major Trial Courts?

they are courts that has a general subject-matter jurisdiction over all cases that aren’t specifically assigned to a court of limited subject-matter jurisdiction

What is meant by Geographic Jurisdiction?

it refers to the geographical areas in which a court is located and the power it has to adjudicate cases

What is meant by the Courtroom Workgroup?

it is the working relationship between court employees

Who are the three primary actors in the Courtroom Workgroup?

the judge, the prosecutor, and the defense attorney

What is the primary role of a Judge?

to serve as a referee, enforcing the rules of procedure and evidence

What is the difference between a Federal Judge and a State Judge?

Federal Judges are appointed by the President and have life tenure; State Judges are appointed by the governor

What is the main function of a Prosecutor?

to prosecute violations of criminal law

What are the two types of Defense Attorneys?

private and public defenders

What is the definition of a Felony?

the most serious type of crime that can be published by a sentence of a year or more in prison, and/or a large fine

What is the definition of a Misdemeanor?

a less serious offense that is punished by a sentence of less than a year in jail, and/or a small fine

What is an Initial Appearance?

when someone is arrested, the law requires that the person be taken before a neutral judicial officer for an initial appearance

What rights of the arrested person are protected by having an Initial Appearance?

by reviewing the law enforcement officer’s decisions if there was probable cause for the arrest

What are the three ways a criminal defendant can be formally charged with committing a crime?

a complaint, an indictment, or an information

What is a Preliminary Hearing?

it is another proceeding that is designed to determine whether a defendant should have to stand trial on felony charges