What is a “court”?
A forum (tribunal or system) often a governmental institution with authority to adjudicate legal disputes.
What is a forum?
A physical place (courthouse)
Who is the attorney talking to when he/she says may it please the court?
Judge(s)
What is involved in a dual court system?
Federal and State Courts
What are the federal courts from lower to higher?
- magistrate courts
- district courts
- circuit court of appeals
- supreme court
What are the state courts from lower to higher?
- trial courts of limited jurisdiction
- trial courts of general jurisdiction
- intermediate appellate courts
- appellate court of last resort
What is the official name of the federal magistrate court?
U.S. Magistrate Court
What is the official name of the federal district court?
U.S. District Court and there are 94 of them
What is the official name of the federal cca court?
U.S. Court of Appeals of the _____ Circuit
What is the official name of the federal supreme court?
U.S. Supreme Court
What are the official names of the state trial courts of limited jurisdiction?
- *Magistrate (PA)
- *District Justice (PA)
- Justice of Peace
- District
- Municipal
What are the official names of the state trial courts of general jurisdiction?
- *Court of Common Pleas (PA)
- Circuit Court (MD)
- Superior Court (AZ)
- District (NM)
How many states have intermediate appellate courts?
39
What are the official names of the state intermediate appellate courts?
- Court of Special Appeals (MD)
- *Superior (Criminal/Civil) (PA)
- *Commonwealth Court (Civil) (PA)
What are the official names of the state appellate court of last resort?
- *Supreme Court (PA)
2. *Court of Appeals (NM/MD)
Can federal court hear criminal and civil cases?
Yes
