Structure of the Court System: Crash Course Government and Politics #19
Structure of the Court System: Crash Course Government and Politics #19
1. Hierarchy of the Court System
The U.S. court system is hierarchical, structured in levels:
Trial courts at the bottom
Appellate courts above them
The Supreme Court at the top
This chain of command allows cases to move upward through appeals, ensuring a systematic review process.
2. Trial Courts
Definition: Courts with original jurisdiction where cases typically commence.
Types of trial courts:
State trial courts: Most cases begin here as every state has its own judicial system.
Federal trial courts: Known as U.S. District Courts.
3. Jurisdiction
Definition: Jurisdiction is the authority of a court to hear a case.
Types of jurisdiction:
Original jurisdiction (held by trial courts): This means these courts hear cases first.
Federal limited jurisdiction: Federal courts only hear cases involving federal laws, constitutional issues, and disputes between states or parties from different states.
4. Plaintiff
Definition: The plaintiff is the person or party who initiates a lawsuit, bringing a case to court seeking legal remedy.
5. U.S. District Courts
Description: Federal trial courts that number 94 across the U.S.
Staffing: Approximately 663 judges serve on these courts.
Function: Handle federal cases that meet jurisdiction criteria, serving as the starting point for most federal legal proceedings.
6. Criminal Cases
General Overview: Almost all criminal cases originate in state courts due to their extensive jurisdiction over criminal law.
Exception: Only a limited number of criminal cases are tried in federal court.
7. Procedurally Wrong
Definition: This term describes a situation where a mistake occurred in the legal process or how the law was implemented during a trial.
Implication: Such mistakes can constitute grounds for an appeal if they significantly impacted the fairness or outcome of the case.
8. Appellate Courts
Function: Appellate courts are tasked with reviewing decisions made by lower trial courts to ensure proper application of the law.
Distinction: Appellate courts do not retry cases; rather, they evaluate legal procedures and interpretations from the original trial.
9. Chart of the Courts
Visual Representation of Hierarchy:
State Courts:
Trial Courts (base level)
Two levels of Appellate Courts
Federal Courts:
District (Trial) Courts (base level)
Circuit Courts (Appellate)
Supreme Court (top level)
10. Scenarios for Federal Courts to Have Jurisdiction
Federal courts can have jurisdiction in the following cases:
Cases involving federal laws (e.g., claims related to Obamacare).
Cases involving treaties.
Cases involving the U.S. Constitution (e.g., issues about religious freedom).
Cases where the U.S. government is a party to the litigation.
Cases involving parties from different states where the amount in dispute exceeds $70,000.
11. Judicial Review
Definition: The Supreme Court's authority to interpret the Constitution and evaluate the constitutionality of laws or government actions.
Application: Typically exercised when the Court hears appellate cases.
12. Cases of Original Jurisdiction for the Supreme Court
Four specific categories include:
Cases between the U.S. government and a state.
Cases involving two or more states.
Cases concerning foreign ministers or ambassadors.
Cases initiated by citizens of one state against citizens of another state or foreign entities.
13. Criteria for Supreme Court to Hear a Case
Circumstances prompting a Supreme Court hearing:
Cases involving significant federal questions.
Circuit splits (disparate decisions among appellate courts).
Cases initiated by the federal government.
Important constitutional issues.
Other Requirements:
The existence of a real controversy.
Standing (actual injury).
The issue must be ripe and not moot.
14. Number of Judges in Different Courts
District courts (those with original jurisdiction): Generally presided over by a single judge.
Federal appellate (circuit) courts: Hear cases in panels composed of three judges.
Supreme Court: Consists of nine justices who collectively hear cases.
Conclusion: This structured arrangement ensures a comprehensive review process from trial to final appeal, harmonizing efficiency with fairness in judicial proceedings.