| Confused by the number of courts the legal system | | | | the similarities are strong enough that we can at least |
| uses? We don't blame you! There are many and the | | | | give an overview and general feel for how they all |
| differences between them can range from minor to | | | | work. |
| major. If you have any questions please comment or | | | | Trial Courts of Limited Jurisdiction |
| contact us and we will try to help answer your | | | | Most of the cases that come to one of these courts |
| question. | | | | are overheard by a single judge without a jury. |
| First of all there are two major court branches: | | | | 1. Probate court: Handles the estates of those that |
| Federal and State. | | | | have died. Makes sure that the will is properly |
| We will first break down the Federal court system | | | | executed. |
| and follow that with the State court system. | | | | 2. Family court: Handles such things as annulments, |
| Federal Court System | | | | divorce, custody, child support, alimony, adoption, and |
| US District Court Info | | | | other typical family legal issues. |
| There are 94 US District courts. | | | | 3. Traffic court: The typical location that minor traffic |
| Each state has at least one. | | | | incidents are handled. |
| Each court has at least 2 judges and can have as | | | | 4. Juvenile court: This court handles cases of children |
| many as 28. | | | | who have committed crimes. In some states it is |
| This is where most federal cases begin! | | | | under 18 - others it can be 21. |
| These courts can here both criminal and civil cases. | | | | 5. Small claims court: Civil matters are handled here |
| U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeal | | | | and typically involve cases with damages under |
| 13 Circuit Courts of Appeal in the United States. | | | | $5,000. |
| Anyone found guilty in any court of law may appeal | | | | 6. Municipal court: City ordinance violations are |
| their case to the appropriate court of appeal in their | | | | typically handled here. |
| regional area. Federal appeals go to the Federal Court | | | | Trial Courts of General Jurisdiction |
| of Appeals which is in Washington D.C. | | | | These are the main trial courts in the state system. |
| These courts are usually overseen by three judges. | | | | They can involve both civil and criminal cases. |
| U.S. Supreme Court | | | | Typically one judge with a jury hears the cases here. |
| This is the top of the US court system. | | | | These courts are usually called one of the following: |
| It consists of 9 judges (called Justices) that are | | | | Circuit courts, Superior courts, Courts of common |
| appointed to life terms by Presidents of the United | | | | pleas, and Supreme courts. |
| States. The head judge is called the Chief Justice. | | | | Intermediate Appellate Courts |
| Citizens who are not satisfied with the results of the | | | | Many states have intermediate courts which fall |
| Appeals courts or State Supreme Courts can petition | | | | between the typical trial courts (listed above) and the |
| the U.S. Supreme Court. | | | | state Supreme courts (listed below). |
| This is typically done by filing a Petition for a Writ of | | | | In states with these courts this is the first step in |
| Certiorari. | | | | the appeals process. |
| The court typically hears between 100 and 150 cases | | | | Typically these are a matter of right (meaning the |
| out of an average of 7,000 petitions.(around 1 in | | | | court -must- hear them regardless of their validity). |
| 50-70 depending on the year and number of cases | | | | The only address errors of law and procedural |
| seen and petitioned) | | | | mistakes. |
| 4 Justices must agree to hear the case (this is called | | | | Typically two or three judges review cases in these |
| a grant cert). | | | | courts. |
| Special Article III Courts | | | | Highest State Courts (often state Supreme courts) |
| 1. U.S. Court of Claims: Handles lawsuits against the | | | | All states within the U.S. have some form of High |
| Government and is found in Washington D.C. | | | | Court. |
| 2. U.S. Court of International Trade: Handles | | | | They are usually called State Supreme Courts, |
| international trade disputes and tariffs. This court can | | | | however in some places they are called courts of |
| be found in New York. | | | | appeal (Maryland is an example of this). |
| Special Courts Created by Congress | | | | States that do not have intermediate courts (the |
| 1. Magistrate judges: Handle certain criminal and civil | | | | type of court listed prior to this) usually allow appeals |
| matters agreed to by all parties involved. | | | | to this level of court as a matter of right (again, any |
| 2. Bankruptcy courts: Handles bankruptcy and | | | | case will be heard regardless of validity). |
| bankruptcy code and law. | | | | Like the intermediate courts, these courts usually |
| 3. U.S. Court of Military Appeals: The final appellate | | | | hear cases based on error of law and not on facts |
| court for those that fall under the Military court | | | | of the case itself. |
| system. | | | | These courts tend to be overseen by panels of |
| 4. U.S. Tax Court: Handles cases involving tax fraud | | | | judges (3,5,7, or 9). |
| and other tax related issues. | | | | We hope this article has helped to break the Federal |
| 5. U.S. Court of Veterans' Appeals: Denial of Vet | | | | and State court systems down into more |
| benefits can be taken here (along with other | | | | understandable terms. We wish you luck with your |
| Veterans' issues). | | | | day in court and if you have any questions please |
| State Court Systems | | | | ask or contact an attorney. |
| All state court systems have some differences, but | | | | |