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Learn about the American court system, the important case of Miranda vs. Arizona, and the roles and functions of courts at both the federal and state levels. Explore the structure of the court system, including limited, general, and appellate jurisdiction, and understand the process of appeals. Discover the specific court systems of Washington state and the federal courts, and gain insights into the role of the US Supreme Court as the guardian of the Constitution.
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Understanding the Criminal Justice System CJUS 101 The American Courts and the Right to Counsel
Courts • The American court - early legislators set-up our court system - by attorneys / for attorneys - prosecute / defend / judge / over-rule a. House that justice built - both criminal / civil - 1/3rd civil settlement (1) Miranda vs. Arizona - attorney required
Courts (2) Prosecutors - plea bargain with defense attorneys b. Terms / concepts - limited jurisdiction - general jurisdiction - appellate jurisdiction c. Federal level (1) Limited jurisdiction
Courts - magistrate’s court (2) General jurisdiction - district court (3) Appellate jurisdiction - court of appeals - supreme court (court of last resort) d. State court systems - state’s vary in court types
Courts (1) Limited jurisdiction: misdemeanors - municipal court (city) - district court (county) (2) General jurisdiction: felonies - superior court (county) (3) Appellate jurisdiction - court of appeals (4) Courts of last resort: supreme court
Courts e. Process - state court structure (1) Limited jurisdiction - defendant found guilty - appeal to superior court (2) General jurisdiction court - appeal to court of appeals - can be lower court appeal - can be guilty verdict in superior court
Courts (3) Appellate jurisdiction (a) Court of appeals -hear appeals from superior court - within court jurisdiction (b) Supreme court - appeals throughout state f. Federal
Courts - court structure (1) Limited jurisdiction - US Magistrate’s Court - minor crimes / arrest-search warrants (2) General jurisdiction - US District Court - felony crimes - state court appeals - civil trials
Courts (3) Appellate jurisdiction - US Courts of Appeal - 13 circuits - 9th circuit (Washington state) - appeals from US District Court (4) Court of last resort - US Supreme Court - appellate jurisdiction - appeals from Courts of Appeal - Rule of Four / Writ of Certiorari
Courts • Washington court system a. Limited jurisdiction courts - considered lower or inferior courts - limited authority (1) First level - municipal court / city - old justice of the peace court - presides over crimes / infractions - city ordinances
Courts (2) Second level - county district court - unincorporated area - presides over crimes / infractions / civil matters under $50,000 (3) Problems generated - overburdened - follow-up on releases - jail overcrowding
Courts b. General jurisdiction courts - considered to be a state court - felony crimes / lower court appeals - civil over $50,000 (1) Presides over: - arraignments - bail hearings - 3.5 hearings (pre-trial motions) (2) Problems generated
Courts - overburdened - plea bargains - part-time judges c. Appellate jurisdiction courts - state supreme court / courts of appeal - restricted solely to appeals of lower courts (1) Court of Appeals - buffer for supreme court - handle criminal / civil on appeal
Courts - strictly a paper court • Federal court a. Administrative law courts - hear non-criminal cases - business / professional sector - appeals to US District Court b. US Magistrates Court - minor federal crimes
Court (1) Assist US District Court - set bail / search and arrest warrants - review petitions / pretrial conferences (2) Appeals - go to US District Court c. US District Court - general trial court - violations of federal law - search / arrest warrants
Court (1) Both civil / criminal cases - appeals from state courts (2) Reviews petitions from federal prisoners c. Courts of Appeal - appeals from US District Court - both civil / criminal (1) 13 regions in US and territories - 94 districts
Court d. US Supreme Court - “Guardian of the Constitution” - Rule of Four - Writ of Certiorari (1) Nine justices - one chief justice / eight associate (2) Life terms - nominated by president - confirmed by senate