Chapter 8 - 6th Edition Mod

Chapter 8: Courts: The System

8.1 Chapter Learning Objectives

• Difference Between Courts:

  • Civil Courts vs. Criminal Courts

  • Jurisdiction and its relevance

• Judicial Jurisdiction:

  • Different types of jurisdiction

• Federal Court System:

  • Basic structure

• Comparative Analysis:

  • Differences between federal and state court systems

• Supreme Court Case Selection:

  • Process of selecting cases for review

8.2 Development of the American Court System

• Dual Court System:

  • Exists at both federal and state levels

• Historical Background:

  • By 1776, all American colonies had their own court systems

  • Federal court system established by Article III, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution

8.3 Selection of Judges

• Federal Judges:

  • Nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate

  • Serve for life unless removed by impeachment

• State Court Judges:

  • Selection methods vary:

    • Appointment

    • Election

    • Combination of methods

8.4 Civil and Criminal Courts

• Primary Divisions of U.S. Court System:

  • Civil Courts

  • Criminal Courts

8.5 Civil Courts

• Purpose:

  • Handle legal disputes among private parties (individuals, companies, corporations)

• Involvement of Government:

  • May involve disputes between private parties and government entities

8.6 Civil Courts Relief

• Types of Relief in Civil Cases:

  • Compensatory Damages:

    • Reimbursement for actual damages

  • Punitive Damages:

    • Monetary award to punish wrongdoing

  • Injunctions:

    • Court orders to mandate or prevent specific actions

8.7 Civil Courts Case Types

• Ways to Bring a Case:

  • Tort Action:

    • Civil wrong, breach of duty causing harm

  • Breach of Contract:

    • Failure to fulfill a contractual agreement

8.8 Civil Case Evidence

• Level of Evidence:

  • Requires a preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not)

  • Less stringent than criminal cases; emphasis on convincing evidence by the plaintiff

8.9 Criminal Court

• Nature of Criminal Cases:

  • Initiated by the government; charges against individuals

• Role of Prosecutors:

  • District attorneys, solicitors, etc.

8.10 Criminal Court Process

• Burden of Proof:

  • Lies on the prosecution; must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt

  • Highest standard of evidence

8.11 Jurisdiction and Venue

• Jurisdiction:

  • Legal authority of courts based on territory, subject matter, or persons involved

• Venue:

  • Geographic area where the court can decide a case

8.12 Types of Jurisdiction

• Types:

  • Original jurisdiction

  • Limited jurisdiction

  • General jurisdiction

  • Appellate jurisdiction

8.13 Original Jurisdiction

• Definition:

  • Authority to hear cases originating in a specific geographical area

8.14 Limited Jurisdiction

• Characteristics:

  • Concerned only with specified subject matters

  • Handles misdemeanor cases and small claims

  • Example courts include municipal, traffic, and probate courts

8.15 General Jurisdiction

• Characteristics:

  • Authority over all subject matter not assigned to limited jurisdiction

  • Includes felony cases and civil lawsuits

  • Examples: District courts, Superior courts, Circuit courts

8.16 Appellate Jurisdiction

• Overview:

  • Reviews judgments from lower courts; does not conduct trials

  • Focuses on interpreting the application of the law

8.17 Federal Courts vs. State Courts

• Federal Court Responsibilities:

  • Cases involving constitutional issues, treaties, disputes between states, admiralty law, etc.

• State Courts Responsibilities:

  • Handle most criminal cases, probate, contracts, torts, and family law issues

• Appeals:

  • Federal law cases can be appealed to the Supreme Court

8.18 Federal Court System Organization

• Structure:

  • Three tiers:

    • District Courts (trial courts)

    • Federal Circuit Courts of Appeal (appellate courts)

    • United States Supreme Court

• Other Federal Entities:

  • Military Courts, Veterans Affairs Appeals, Tax Court, Administrative Agencies

8.19 Federal District Courts

• Characteristics:

  • Jurisdiction covers nearly all federal case types (criminal and civil)

  • 94 federal judicial districts present across the U.S.

• Case Statistics:

  • In 2018, 81,553 criminal cases heard

  • High plea deal rates (97.2% guilty pleas)

8.20 Federal Circuit Courts of Appeals

• Organization:

  • Comprised of 12 regional circuits

  • Review decisions from federal district courts and administrative agencies

8.21 U.S. Supreme Court

• Description:

  • Highest court; consists of Chief Justice and 8 Associate Justices

  • Justices appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate

  • Current Chief Justice: John G. Roberts, Jr.

8.22 State Court Systems

• Statistics:

  • Over 84 million cases filed in state courts in 2016, with 53% traffic cases

  • Approximately 17.8 million criminal cases heard in state courts in 2016

8.23 Supreme Court Case Selection Process

• Annual Requests:

  • 6,000 – 7,000 requests to hear cases

  • Selects 100 to 150 cases per year

• Rule of Four:

  • At least four justices must agree to hear a case

  • Court issues a writ of certiorari to request lower court records for reviewed cases.