Why do we have different levels of courts?
Why do we have different levels of courts?
Why do we have such a fragmented system? The framers of the Constitution wanted to create a third branch of the government, equal to the others. This is the federal judiciary. At the same time, they feared overreaching federal power, so they limited the power, or jurisdiction, of the federal courts.
What do inferior courts do?
courts of limited jurisdiction …of a better term, “inferior” courts. These are often staffed by part-time judges who are not necessarily trained in the law. They handle minor civil cases involving small sums of money, such as bill collections, and minor criminal cases carrying light penalties.
What are the two types of inferior courts?
The Inferior Courts
- The Framers created the national judiciary in Article III of the Constitution.
- The Constitution created the Supreme Court and left Congress to establish the inferior courts—the lower federal courts. There are two types of federal courts: (1) constitutional courts and (2) “special” or legislative courts.
What is an example of an inferior court?
Inferior courts refer to courts that are below the highest court in any jurisdiction. For example, the highest federal court is the Supreme Court of the United States. The District Courts and Circuit Courts are “inferior” courts.
What is the judicial branch made up of?
The third branch of government is the Judicial branch. The Judiciary is made up of courts — Supreme, Circuit, the magistrate (local) and municipal (city) courts. The Judicial branch interprets the laws.
Are judges voted into office?
The California Legislature determines the number of judges in each court. Superior court judges serve six-year terms and are elected by county voters on a nonpartisan ballot at a general election. Vacancies are filled through appointment by the Governor.
How does the US judicial system work?
The judicial branch decides the constitutionality of federal laws and resolves other disputes about federal laws. However, judges depend on our government’s executive branch to enforce court decisions. Courts decide what really happened and what should be done about it.
What are the two judicial systems in the United States?
In the United States, the criminal courts belong to two separate systems — the state and federal. The state courts try defendants charged with state crimes and the federal sys- tem deals with those charged with federal crimes.
