Court Structures

Question 1

Legislative Branch

Answer 1

Creates or enacts the law. Federal = congress, state = state legislature.

Question 2

Executive Branch

Answer 2

Enforces or executes the law. Federal = President, state = Governor.

Question 3

Judicial Branch

Answer 3

Interprets the law. Includes state and federal court systems.

Question 4

Trial Courts

Answer 4

Trial level courts, with a single judge, are where legal action is initiated, and facts and evidence are presented. In most cases, either party can demand a trial by jury, where permitted by law. Or the judge may decide the case without a jury.

Question 5

Appellate Courts

Answer 5

Appellate level courts review trial court decisions by reviewing the record to determine whether the trial court erred. They have several judges and only deal with questions of law, not of fact.

Question 6

U.S. District Court

Answer 6

Trial courts where federal actions commence. Every state has at least one, and many states are broken into multiple districts.

Question 7

U.S. Court of Appeals

Answer 7

The federal appellate court is broken into federal circuits called the Circuit Court of Appeals. A circuit court is responsible for appeals from district courts.

Question 8

U.S. Supreme Court

Answer 8

The country’s highest court. Compromised of nine justices nominated by the President and confirmed by the U.S. senate.

Question 9

State Courts

Answer 9

Part of the judicial branch of the relevant state. Have both trial and appellate levels.

Question 10

Stare Decisis

Answer 10

To stand by previous court decisions. Precedence.

Question 11

Administrative Hearings

Answer 11

Where administrative agencies settle disputes, such as tax disputes, Social Security matters, and immigration.