POLI 4023 Chapter : POLI 4023
Document Summary
States develop their own court systems, so they vary widely by state. State courts jurisdiction comes from the state constitutions. Courts of limited jurisdiction: handle limited, specialized claims, Civil & criminal jursidiction, limited to small claims and 1 geographic area. Criminal cases often limited to fines or less or 6months jail time. Small claims courts: civil caases usually limited to a maximum claim of . Perform marriages, sometimes serves as coroner, perform administrative duties, budgeting, hire court personnel. Bench trials; trail presided over by one judge only; judge makes the final decision. Judge often not required to have been a lawyer. Courts of record: a transcript is made of proceedings. Civil cases usually limited to a maximum claim, but varies by state. Hear appeals from the lower court, trial de novo. Have authority to hear any case that falls within the judicial power of the state. Serious crimes such as murder and armed robbery.
