5The State Judicial Branch

The judicial branch interprets the laws (makes decisions).

The judicial branch is made up of Court Judges = ELECTED OFFICIALSJuries = Everyday citizens.

They hear civil and criminal cases

The judicial branch

Civil Person vs. person

Results in decisions involving $.

Uses juries

Gov’t vs. person

Results in decisions involving punishment and money. (fines)

Sometimes uses juries

Civil vs. CriminalCriminal

Felony Serious crimeResults in at least

one year in jail and or at least $1000 fine

ExamplesArmed robberyMurderRapeBattery

Less serious crimeResults in less than

one year in prison and a fine less then $1000

ExamplesDUIAssaultShop-lifting

Criminal CasesMisdemeanor

State CourtHears

criminal cases and large sum civil cases

(over $15,000)

Juvenile Court

Hears cases of minors,

those under 17.

Probate CourtDeals with wills, trusts

and inheritance

issues

Magistrate CourtDeals with small infractionsand civil cases

Superior CourtOversees local courts and hears

significant local cases, cases where there are no state courts

and divorces.

Appeals CourtHears cases when the loser from a lower court wants the case retried.

Can be criminal or civil

Supreme CourtHears cases being retried from lower courts. It is the last stop. They only

hear important cases.

Grand JuryDecides if there is

enough evidence for a person to be formally accused of a trial.

A criminal goes to this before their actually trial.

This is the group of citizens who hears the actual trial.

They decide if someone is guilt or innocent.

JuriesTrial Jury

If you are called to serve on a jury you MUST do it. Jury duty and voting are the two most important responsibilities of a United States Citizen. Jury Duty is mandatory, voting is not.