Ch. 3Ch. 3

Court SystemsCourt Systems

Ch. 3-1Ch. 3-1Dispute ResolutionDispute Resolution

Litigation- Allowing a court to resolve a dispute.Litigation- Allowing a court to resolve a dispute.

2 alternatives to litigation:2 alternatives to litigation:

– Mediator: Tries to develop a solution acceptable to Mediator: Tries to develop a solution acceptable to both sides of the dispute.both sides of the dispute.

– Arbitrator- Holds an informal hearing to determine Arbitrator- Holds an informal hearing to determine what happened.what happened.

– Basically do the same thing. However, an arbitrator’s Basically do the same thing. However, an arbitrator’s decision in legally binding, and mediator’s is not.decision in legally binding, and mediator’s is not.

Court- Governmental forum that Court- Governmental forum that administers justice under the law.administers justice under the law.

Trial Court- The court in which a dispute is Trial Court- The court in which a dispute is first heard.first heard.

Verdict- The decision that a jury makes.Verdict- The decision that a jury makes.

Original jurisdiction- The power to make Original jurisdiction- The power to make the initial decisions of fact or law.the initial decisions of fact or law.

Appellate Court- Reviews decisions of Appellate Court- Reviews decisions of lower courts when a party claims an error lower courts when a party claims an error of law was made during the lower court’s of law was made during the lower court’s proceedings.proceedings.

Ch. 3-2Ch. 3-2Federal Court SystemFederal Court System

General Jurisdiction- A court that can hear General Jurisdiction- A court that can hear almost any kind of case.almost any kind of case.

Specialized Jurisdiction- A court that hears Specialized Jurisdiction- A court that hears only one specific type of case.only one specific type of case.

Ch. 3-3Ch. 3-3State Court SystemState Court System

Court of Record- Keeps an exact account of Court of Record- Keeps an exact account of what goes on at trial.what goes on at trial.

Associate Circuit Court (County Court)- This Associate Circuit Court (County Court)- This type of court hears minor criminal cases, state type of court hears minor criminal cases, state traffic offenses, etc. usually no more than traffic offenses, etc. usually no more than $25,000.$25,000.

Municipal Court- Usually divided into traffic and Municipal Court- Usually divided into traffic and criminal divisions. These types of courts deal criminal divisions. These types of courts deal with city ordinances.with city ordinances.

Small claims courts- Handle disputes in which Small claims courts- Handle disputes in which small amounts ($2,500 or less).small amounts ($2,500 or less).

– Attorneys are not required in small claims courts.Attorneys are not required in small claims courts.

Juvenile Courts- Deals with younger members of Juvenile Courts- Deals with younger members of society. society.

– The age of a juvenile varies from state to state.The age of a juvenile varies from state to state.

Probate Courts- Administers wills and estates.Probate Courts- Administers wills and estates.