Study GuideAmerican Government–The Judiciary1.The State Court System1.1Two Court Systems in the United StatesThe United States hastwo main court systems:1.The federal court system, which includes the Supreme Court and lower federal courtscreated by Article III of the Constitution.2.The state court system, which handles most legal cases in everyday life.These two systems runside by sideand are mostly separate. However, federal courts can reviewdecisions from state courts in some situations. TheU.S. Supreme Court has the final say onconstitutional questions, even when a case begins in a state court.1.2Organization of State CourtsState courts are organized in ahierarchy, or levels. Most states include:•Superior courts (trial courts)•State appellate courts•State supreme courtsIn most states,judges are electedrather than appointed.1.3Superior Courts (Trial Courts)Superior courts usually operate at thecounty leveland are the place where most cases begin.Who Decides the Case?•Ajudgehandles questions of law, such as whether evidence can be used.•Ajurydecides the facts of the case if the defendant asks for a jury trial.Both the judge and jury base their decisions on theevidence presented in court.Preview Mode
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