Judicial Federalism (Chapter 6)

Jurisdiction

criminal, civil, geographic, concurrent

criminal

case of individual accused of violating the law

Civil

case of a party wronged by another individual that sues for damages

geographic

based on municipality, precinct, or county

concurrent

jurisdiction held more than one type of court

Texas different types of Courts

original, appellate, & exclusive

jurisdiction definition

• The court's sphere of authority • Texas courts are divided by their jurisdiction, their origin and geographical area

Original Court Jurisdiction

hear evidence and establish the record

Appellate Court Jurisdiction

Appeals of previously heard cases for which decision has been previously rendered by a lower court

Exclusive Court Jurisdiction

sole authority to hear a certain type of case

Wallace Jefferson

• One of the most respected judges in the country • Resigned as chief justice of the Supreme Court of Texas in Oct 2013 • The first African American chief justice of the Supreme Court • Increased legal assistance for poor and middle-class families • Expanded protection for children • Increased transparency • Elimination of partisan elections of judicial selection

Judicial Federalism Definition

A system in which judicial authority is shared between levels of government; one of the largest, most complex in the country; Separation of the judicial authority between levels of government

U.S. Supreme Court

constitutionally established, with lower courts created by Congress

State constitutions

create their courts, including state and local jurisdictions

Judicial Federalism

The U.S. has a dual system of jurisprudence• Questions of federal or constitutional law are heard in the national judicial system• Questions of state law are heard in the state judicial system• Determining which court will hear each case is complicated