Responsibilities_of_State_and_Federal

Axia College Material Responsibilities of State and Federal Courts Student Name: Kathy Rice Axia College CJS/200 Instructor’s Name: Thomas Hopkins Date: 05/19/11 The difference between the Responsibilities of State and Federal Courts: The Federal Court System [Article III of the Constitution invests the judicial power of the United States in the federal court system. Article III, Section 1 specifically creates the U.S. Supreme Court and gives Congress the authority to create the lower federal courts]. The State Court System [The Constitution and laws of each state establish the state courts. A court of last resort, often known as a supreme court, is usually the highest court in a state. Some states also have an intermediate court of appeals. Below these appeals courts are the state trial courts. Some are referred to as circuit or district courts.] The Federal Court System [Congress has used this power to establish the 13 U.S. courts of appeals, the 94 U.S. district courts, the U.S. Court of Claims, and the U.S. Court of International Trade. U.S. bankruptcy courts handle bankruptcy cases. Magistrate judges handle some district court matters.] The State Court System [States also usually have courts that handle specific legal matters, e.g., probate court (wills and estates); juvenile court; family court; etc.] The Federal Court System [Parties dissatisfied with a decision of a U.S. district court, the U.S. Court of Claims, and/or the U.S. Court of International Trade may appeal to a U.S. court of appeals.] The State Court System [Parties dissatisfied with the decision of the trial court may take their cases to the intermediate court of appeals]. The Federal Court System [A party may ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review a decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals, but the Supreme Court usually is under no obligation to do so. The U.S. Supreme Court is the final arbiter of federal constitutional questions.] The State Court System [Parties have the option to ask the highest state court to hear the case. Only certain state court cases are eligible for review by the U.S. Supreme Court.] Federal judges are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. [They hold office during good behavior, typically, for life. Through congressional impeachment proceedings, federal judges may be removed from office for misbehavior.] State court judges are selected in a variety of ways, including * election, * appointment for a given number of years, * appointment for life, and * combinations of these methods, e.g., appointment followed by election. The Federal Court System * Cases that deal with the constitutionality of a law; * Cases involving the laws and treaties of the U.S.; * Cases involving ambassadors and public ministers; * Disputes between two or more states; * Admiralty law; * Bankruptcy; and * Habeas corpus issue The State Court System * Cases that deal with the constitutionality of a law; * Cases involving the laws and treaties of the U.S.; * Cases involving ambassadors and public ministers; * Disputes between two or more states; * Admiralty law; * Bankruptcy; and * Habeas corpus issue References; Textbook material http://www.uscourts.gov/Home.aspx