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American Government - The Judiciary

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    Study Guide American Government – The Judiciary 1. The State Court System 1.1 Two Court Systems in the United States The United States has two main court systems : 1. The federal court system , which includes the Supreme Court and lower federal courts created by Article III of the Constitution. 2. The state court system , which handles most legal cases in everyday life. These two systems run side by side and are mostly separate. However, federal courts can review decisions from state courts in some situations. The U.S. Supreme Court has the final say on constitutional questions , even when a case begins in a state court. 1.2 Organization of State Courts State courts are organized in a hierarchy , or levels. Most states include: • Superior courts (trial courts) • State appellate courts • State supreme courts In most states, judges are elected rather than appointed. 1.3 Superior Courts (Trial Courts) Superior courts usually operate at the county level and are the place where most cases begin. Who Decides the Case? • A judge handles questions of law, such as whether evidence can be used. • A jury decides the facts of the case if the defendant asks for a jury trial. Both the judge and jury base their decisions on the evidence presented in court .

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    Study Guide 1.4 Criminal Cases Superior courts hear criminal cases , which involve violations of the law. These include: • Nonviolent crimes , such as fraud • Violent crimes , such as murder, armed robbery, and rape Many criminal cases never go to trial. Instead, the defendant may agree to a plea bargain . • A plea bargain is an agreement where the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a reduced sentence. • Prosecutors often agree to plea bargains because they save time and money and because serious charges can sometimes be hard to prove in court. 1.5 Civil Cases Superior courts also hear civil cases , which involve disputes between individuals or groups. These cases may involve: • Property • Money • Contracts • Personal well - being, such as malpractice, libel, or personal injury The person bringing the case is called the plaintiff . Types of Damages Plaintiffs may ask for: • Compensatory damages – money to cover actual losses or harm • Punitive damages – money meant to punish the defendant and discourage similar behavior in the future Punitive damages can be much larger than the actual harm , especially when juries sympathize more with individuals than with corporations.

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    Study Guide 1.6 Class - Action Lawsuits Some civil cases are class - action suits . These occur when many people are harmed in similar ways. Any compensation awarded is shared among all victims . Common examples involve: • Product liability • Health - related issues High - profile class - action cases have targeted: • Asbestos manufacturers • Tobacco companies • Automobile manufacturers • Insurance companies Critics argue that some activists use class - action lawsuits to achieve policy goals — such as limiting cigarettes or handguns — without gaining support through elections or legislation. 1.7 State Appellate Courts If a defendant loses a trial and believes there was a legal error , the case may be appealed. How Appeals Work • Appeals focus on legal procedures , not on reexamining evidence or witnesses. • Cases are heard by a panel of judges , not a jury. • Decisions are made by a majority vote . The appellate court may: • Uphold the original decision • Reverse the verdict • Order a new trial Only a very small number of trial cases ever reach appellate courts.

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    Study Guide 1.8 State Supreme Courts The state supreme court is the highest court in a state and the final level of appeal. • Most cases come from defendants who lost at lower levels. • Justices decide cases as a group , and their rulings become the highest law in the state . 1.9 Election of State Judges Most state judges are elected , including: • Trial court judges • Appellate court judges • State supreme court justices Term Lengths • Trial court judges usually serve four - year terms . • Many run unopposed, and voters may simply vote “yes” or “no” on the ballot. • Higher court judges serve longer terms — usually 8 or 12 years — to reduce political pressure and allow them to make independent decisions. 2. The Federal Court System 2.1 How the Federal Courts Were Created With the exception of the Supreme Court , the Constitution did not clearly spell out how the federal court system should be organized. Instead, it gave Congress the power to create lower federal courts. Congress used this power in the Judiciary Act of 1789 , which established three levels of federal courts : 1. District courts 2. Courts of appeal 3. The Supreme Court

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    Study Guide In addition, Congress has created legislative and special courts to handle very specific types of legal cases. District Courts The district courts are the main trial courts in the federal system. There are 94 federal district courts , each serving a specific geographic area of the country. What Do District Courts Do? District courts handle both criminal and civil cases involving federal law. Federal Criminal Cases These include crimes such as: • Mail fraud • Counterfeiting • Smuggling • Bank robbery Federal Civil Cases Civil cases may involve: • Water rights • Interstate commerce • Environmental disputes About half of all district court cases are decided by juries . 2.2 District Courts and Constitutional Questions District courts are also the first federal courts to hear state cases that raise constitutional issues . A famous example is Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) . • Clarence Gideon appealed his conviction from a state superior court. • The Supreme Court later ruled that even poor defendants have the right to an attorney . This important case began at the district court level.

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