Chapter 2 Flashcards
State and federal court systems have:
(1) Lower courts
(2) Appellate courts
- Disputes are initially brought
- Referred to as trial courts
- Analyze issues of facts
- Federal and state levels
Lower Courts
- Where the lower court decisions are reviewed
- Analyze whether law was applied properly
- Don’t need witnesses, evidence of jury - already know all the facts
- Federal and state levels
Appellate Courts
- Nominated by US president
- Confirmed by senate majority
- Enjoy lifetime appointment
- Removed only if congress impeaches them for bad behavior (i.e bribery, treason)
Federal Judges
- Chosen by a variety of methods: elected, appointed by state bar association or governor, both
State Judges
In SC, judges are elected by the __________.
General Assembly
Fixed term; not appointed for life, length of time dependent on state
General Assembly
SC circuit court judges length
6 years
SC Supreme court judges years
10 years
Protects judges from being sued for their decisions and any court appointed position
Judicial Immunity
Judicial Immunity gives 3 things:
(1) Can’t be sued simply because whoever lost the case is unhappy about the decision
(2) Extends to parties who perform services related to the performance of appointed judicial functions - extends to parties involved in the case
(3) Protects against undue influence on judicial decisions
The right of a court to hear and decide a case
Jurisdiction
Exists with courts that have authority to hear a case for the first time (trial courts)
Original Jurisdiction
- Exists with courts of appeals, or reviewing courts
- Generally appellate courts do not have original jurisdiction
Appellate Jurisdiction
- Exists when a court is limited to a specific subject matter, such as probate (wills, trusts, estates) or divorce
Limited Jurisdiction
Exists when a court can hear any kind of case
General Jurisdiction
Federal Court Lineage
(1) Supreme Court
(2) Court of Appeal
(3) Federal District Courts
- Highest court in the federal system
- 9 justices, meeting in Washington, DC
- Appeals jurisdiction by re-examining a case appealed to it from a lower court
- Limited original jurisdiction over some cases
Supreme Court
- Intermediate level in the federal system
- 12 regional circuit courts including DC circuit
- No original jurisdiction; strictly appellate
Court of Appeals
- Lowest level in the federal system
- 94 judicial districts in 50 states
- No appellate jurisdiction
- Original jurisdiction over most cases
Federal District Courts
Court of Original Jurisdiction
Federal District Court
- Jury makes decisions
- Facts presented
- Case may be heard by a magistrate
Federal District Court
Federal District Court’s Purpose
(1) Handle cases that fall under federal jurisdiction
(2) Use a jury trial to decide guilt or innocence
(3) Judges are to interpret the law and determine punishment
- 12 circuits
- 2 judge panel reviews issues of law
- Hearing en banc
US Court of Appeals
All active judges in a circuit will hear a case (Murphy vs. NCAA - legalize sports gambling in all 50 states)
Hearing en Banc
Specialized Federal Courts
(1) Limited Jurisdiction Courts
(2) Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
Limited Jurisdiction Courts (original limited)
(1) US Bankruptcy Court
(2) US Court of Federal Claims
(3) US Court of International Trade
(4) US Tax Court
Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (limited appellate)
(1) Patent, trademark and copyright cases
(2) US Court of Federal Claims
(3) US Court of International Trade