role & structure of the judiciary and state versus federal courts

Role and Structure of the Judiciary

Overview of the American Judiciary

• The American legal system consists of federal and state courts, collectively referred to as the judiciary.

• Two primary roles of courts:

  • Adjudicate: Courts resolve disputes by interpreting and applying laws.

  • Judicial Review: Examine decisions of lower courts and government actions for compliance with laws and the Constitution.

• Jurisdiction and Venue: Rules that determine which court can hear a case.

State Courts vs. Federal Courts

• The U.S. court system has two parallel structures: state and federal courts.

• State Courts: Handle cases arising from state statutes, common law, and state constitutional law, occasionally involving federal law.

• Federal Courts: Deal mainly with national laws, federal constitutional issues, and other cases outside state jurisdiction.

Trial Courts vs. Appellate Courts

• Most cases in the U.S. are filed in state courts, which have two levels: trial courts and appellate courts.

• Trial Courts:

  • Parties present cases; decisions made based on evidence and legal arguments.

  • Responsible for civil (litigation) and criminal cases.

  • Decisions are binding only on parties involved and do not set precedent.

• Appellate Courts:

  • Review lower court decisions.

  • May allow appeals based on discretion in some states.

  • Their decisions are binding and set precedent for all lower courts.

State Trial Courts

• Lawsuits are filed by a plaintiff against a defendant for legal right violations.

• Courts have general or limited authority to hear cases.

• General Authority Courts:

  • Hear various types of cases (e.g., breach of contract, criminal cases).

• Limited Authority Courts:

  • Focus on specific disputes (e.g., family law, probate).

• Local Courts:

  • Handle minor disputes with low dollar value, provide expedited resolution.

State Appellate Courts

• After trial court decisions, losing parties may appeal to state appellate courts.

• Appellate Courts Functions:

  • Review lower court decisions; do not consider new evidence.

  • Assess trial conduct and adherence to legal standards.

  • If an appeal is granted, judges evaluate trial court decisions and may reverse or remand cases.

Federal Courts

• Federal judiciary includes U.S. District Courts, U.S. Courts of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court.

• U.S. District Courts:

  • Serve as primary trial courts for federal matters (federal laws, constitutional issues).

  • Binding decisions on involved parties only.

• Circuit Courts of Appeals:

  • Intermediate appellate courts; decisions create binding precedent within the circuit.

• U.S. Supreme Court:

  • Final authority on federal law and constitutional interpretation; reviews cases from federal and state courts involving federal issues.

Judicial Selection

• Federal judges are appointed by the president, confirmed by the Senate.

Key Concepts

• Trial courts adjudicate disputes; appellate courts review trial court decisions.

• State courts handle state legal matters while federal courts focus on national laws and issues.

• Decisions from appellate courts set binding precedent; trial court rulings are binding only on the parties in that case.

• U.S. Supreme Court acts as the ultimate arbiter of federal law.