8. Structure of the US Judicial System
US Supreme Court
State Court of Last Resort
Intermediate State Court of
Appeals
State Court of General
Jurisdiction
State Court of Limited
Jurisdiction
U.S. Court of Appeals
U.S. District
Courts
Federal
Regulatory
Agencies
10. US Federal Courts may hear cases involving:
• Cases involving the
Constitution, federal
statutes and treaties
• Ambassadors, other public
• Disputes between two or
more states
• Disputes between a state
ministers and consuls
and a citizen of another
state.
• Admiralty and maritime
• Disputes between citizens
• Controversies to which the
• Disputes between states
issues
US Government is a party
of different states
(or their citizens) and
foreign states (or their
citizens)
25. Appellate Jurisdiction
The power of a court to receive cases
from trial courts for the purpose of
reviewing whether the legal
procedures were properly followed.
26.
27. Appellate Courts vs. Trial Courts
• Appellate courts do not hear new cases,
just cases on appeal from federal trial
courts.
• Appeals are based on legal issues rather
than questions of factual material.
• Do not accept new evidence or hear
additional witnesses.
• Restrict their review to points of law
under dispute.