QST LA 245 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Jury Trial, Voir Dire, Alternative Dispute Resolution
Document Summary
Federal courts - established by u. s. constitution (can do limited kinds of cases) U. s. district court - primary trial court in the federal system. U. s. courts of appeal - intermediate courts of appeals. Has power to hear appeals in any federal case. Can choose to accept the case or not. If party wants the supreme court to review, lower court must file write of certiorari - a petition asking supreme court to hear a case. Trial courts use witnesses and juries to resolve factual disputes. Appellate courts - no witnesses and no juries. State trial courts - hear any lawsuits on any issue. Federal district courts - only hear 2 kinds of cases: Federal question - involves statute or constitution. Diversity - party from different states and >,000. Plaintiff files a complaint - short, plain statement of facts and legal claims she is making. Purpose of complaint - inform defendant and to come to court and protect themselves.
