The US Court System

Summary

In this lecture, the instructor provides a comprehensive overview of the U.S. court system, focusing on both federal and California state courts. Key topics include the three branches of government, jurisdiction of different courts, and the structure of trial and appellate courts. The judicial branch's role in interpreting laws, along with checks and balances between legislative and executive powers, is emphasized. The Supreme Court's unique jurisdiction and its process of selecting cases for review are also discussed, highlighting the importance of understanding how the legal system operates and its relevance to students' lives.

Takeaways

• 😀 The lecture covers an overview of the US court system, including federal and California state courts.
• 🏛️ The three branches of government are legislative, executive, and judicial, with a focus on the judiciary's role.
• 📜 Congress creates laws that must be signed by the president, who can veto them, subject to congressional override.
• ⚖️ The judicial branch can declare laws unconstitutional, providing a check on legislative power.
• 🌐 Federalism shares power between the federal government and the states, with certain powers reserved for states and the people.
• 🔍 Jurisdiction determines which courts can hear specific types of cases, such as family law and small claims.
• 🏛️ In California, civil cases typically go to local state trial courts, referred to as Superior Courts.
• 📈 The appellate courts review trial court decisions for errors of law, without hearing new testimony.
• 🏅 The US Supreme Court is the highest court, hearing a limited number of important cases each year.
• ⚖️ Cases can be appealed to the Supreme Court via a writ of certiorari, and decisions are typically published in the spring.

Q & A

What are the three branches of the U.S. government?

The three branches of the U.S. government are the Legislative Branch, which makes laws; the Executive Branch, which enforces laws; and the Judicial Branch, which interprets laws.

What is the primary function of the Judicial Branch?

The Judicial Branch addresses the federal court system and interprets laws, including determining the constitutionality of statutes.

What is meant by jurisdiction in the context of courts?

Jurisdiction refers to a court's authority to hear specific types of cases. Different courts have jurisdiction over different legal matters.

What types of cases does a small claims court handle in California?

In California, small claims courts handle civil cases where the amount in dispute is less than $112,000.

How does the appeals process work in the state court system?

After losing in a trial court, a party generally has the right to appeal the decision to an appellate court, which reviews the case for errors in law.

What is diversity jurisdiction, and when does it apply?

Diversity jurisdiction occurs when the plaintiff and defendant are from different states, and the claim amount is $75,000 or more. It allows cases to be heard in federal court.

What is the role of the U.S. Supreme Court in the judicial system?

The U.S. Supreme Court serves as the highest court in the nation, hearing appeals on important constitutional issues and federal law cases. It has both original and appellate jurisdiction.

How many justices currently serve on the U.S. Supreme Court?

There are currently nine justices on the U.S. Supreme Court, consisting of one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices.

What type of cases are automatically appealed to federal appellate courts?

State death penalty appeals are automatically granted an appeal to federal appellate courts.

What is a writ of certiorari in the context of the Supreme Court?

A writ of certiorari is a petition filed by an attorney to request the Supreme Court to review a case. It indicates that the case may present significant legal issues worthy of the Court's consideration.