Federal District Courts:

Question 1

What types of courts are they?

Answer 1

Federal Trial courts - the cases that they hear are either civil or criminal trials – not appeals

Question 2

What type of jurisdiction do they have?

Answer 2

They ONLY have ORIGINAL JURISDICTION: cases “originate” at district courts

Question 3

When do they hear criminal cases?

Answer 3

They hear criminal cases when someone has been accused of violating a federal criminal statute or a federal
Crime.
-accused of breaking a federal law.

Question 4

What is the process like in these courts?

Answer 4

-Evidence is introduced and examined
- Witnesses are questioned and cross-examined
- questions of Innocence or guilty may be answered
- judgment may be reached by citizen jury

Question 5

What is diversity jurisdiction?

Answer 5

Suing someone for money or maybe damages worth (75 K or more)
-case involving 75 thousand or more (money)
-Different citizenship plaintiff and defendant