CheckPoint: Court System Structure I

* Resource: The Courts in Our Criminal Justice System

* Due Date: Day 2, 10/20/2009 [Individual forum]

* Review Ch. 4 in The Courts in Our Criminal Justice System.

* Write a 200- to 300-word response comparing the state court system in which you live and the federal court system. If you are not a resident of
the United States, choose any state’s court system to compare with the federal court system. Compare these two systems by structure, source
of laws, and the types of cases that are heard.

Please note that your School Subject is not college! It is probably Criminal Justice or something like that.

Have you read Chapter 4?

Have you researched the court system in your state?

What similarities and differences have you found?

To compare the state court system and the federal court system, you may first need to do some research on your specific state court system or choose a state court system to analyze if you are not residing in the United States. Here are the steps you can take to gather information for your response:

1. Start by reviewing Chapter 4 of the textbook "The Courts in Our Criminal Justice System." This will provide you with a general understanding of the court system and its components.

2. Research your state court system or choose a specific state court system to analyze if you are not in the United States. Look for reliable sources such as government websites, state court websites, or legal encyclopedias that provide information on the structure and organization of the state court system. Pay attention to the different levels of courts within the state, such as trial courts, appellate courts, and higher courts.

3. Research the federal court system. Start by visiting the official website of the federal judiciary or other reliable sources that provide information on the structure and organization of the federal court system. The federal court system consists of district courts, circuit courts of appeals, and the Supreme Court.

4. Compare the structure of the two court systems. Look for similarities and differences in terms of the number of levels of courts, the hierarchy of courts, the appointment or election of judges, and the jurisdiction of each level of court. Note any unique features or characteristics of both systems.

5. Research the source of laws for both systems. In the United States, the federal court system interprets and applies federal laws, including the U.S. Constitution, federal statutes, and federal regulations. State court systems, on the other hand, interpret and apply state laws, which include state constitutions, state statutes, and state regulations. Be sure to understand and mention the distinction between federal and state laws in your response.

6. Explore the types of cases heard in both court systems. Federal courts have jurisdiction over cases that involve federal laws, constitutional issues, disputes between states, and cases involving citizens from different states. State courts generally have jurisdiction over cases involving state laws, criminal offenses under state law, civil disputes, family law matters, and other areas not within the purview of the federal courts. Compare the types of cases that each court system typically handles.

By following these steps and conducting thorough research, you should be able to gather the necessary information to write a well-informed and comparative response on the state court system in which you live and the federal court system. Remember to cite your sources and provide examples or specific details to support your conclusions.