CHAPTER 2 THE COURT SYSTEM
Section 2.1
THE OPENING SCENE (PAGE 27)
In this scene, Trai’s friend has to go to court for curfew violation. Does the Atscocita area have a
curfew? Find a web site that explains the curfew. Copy/paste the URL and tell the curfew rules
that students in this area must follow.
THE FEDERAL COURT SYSTEM
Federal courts hear cases involving
1.
2.
Federal courts have jurisdiction over several types of cases. These cases include the following:
Actions in which the United States or __________ state is a party, except those actions
between a state and its ______________.
Cases that raise a federal question, such as interpreting the _______________________.
Diversity of _______________________cases, which involve citizens of different states and in
which the amount of money in dispute exceeds $75,000.
Admiralty cases, or those pertaining to the _________________ .
Patent and ________________ cases.
Bankruptcy cases.
DISTRICT COURTS
District courts have original jurisdiction over most _________________ court cases.
________________ ___________________ means trying a case the first time it is heard.
COURTS OF APPEALS
The U.S. courts of appeals are also called __________________ courts.
They are _________________ courts, courts between lower courts and the highest court.
They hear appeals and _______________ cases from lower courts.
They have______________________ jurisdiction, meaning that any party to a suit decided in a
federal district court may _______________ to the federal court of appeals in the circuit where
the case was tried.
Who are responsible for rendering decisions in most U.S. court of appeals cases?
How are appellate courts different from what you know about the court system?
SPECIAL U.S. COURTS
Congress has established several special federal courts that have __________________ in cases,
including:
Suits brought by citizens against the _______________________ government.
Disagreements over taxes on_____________ goods.
Disputes between taxpayers and the Internal _________________ Service.
SUPREME COURT
Is the_______________ court in the land.
Has original jurisdiction in __________ cases involving ambassadors, consuls, other
public_____________________, and cases in which a _______________ is a party.
Must hear all cases that involve the _________________________ of the federal law.
Also decides which additional cases it will hear from the U.S. courts of appeals or the
_________________supreme courts.
What are the differences among original jurisdiction, appellate jurisdiction, limited
jurisdiction, and general jurisdiction?
STATE COURT SYSTEMS
Each state has its own court system. However, the general pattern is the same in all states.
______________ trial courts
_______________trial courts
Explain the different between the two types of State court systems
Special courts List the two types of special State courts described in this section.
1.
2.
SPECIAL COURTS
Courts have been established in many states to handle________________________ cases.
Domestic relations courts handle divorce, annulment, and dissolution proceedings.
JUVENILE COURTS
Juvenile courts have jurisdiction over________________________, unruly, _________________, or
neglected_______________.
A delinquent child is a minor who has committed an _______________crime.
An unruly child is generally a minor who has done something __________________ that is not
considered an adult crime.
A __________________ or abused child is one who is _______________, destitute, or without
adequate ____________________ care.
He or she may become a________________ of the state.
What do you think about the young people and jury trials?
Intermediate Appellate Courts
Explain the role of an appellate court with the state court system
SUPREME COURTS
The ________________ court in most states is known as the _______________ court.
Typically these courts decide matters of law appealed from courts.
Use the Google to find a case that the Texas Supreme Court has recently heard or will hear
soon, or is currently in progress. Explain the case a give the URL where you found the
information.