Chapter 18.2 The Inferior Courts

• The District Courts

• Entry point into the federal court system

• Jurisdiction

• Original Jurisdiction of 80% of cases

• Tries both civil and criminal cases

• United States always prosecutes criminal cases

• Civil case are handled by private lawyers

• Plaintiff or defendant

• Uses Grand Juries

• The Courts of Appeals

• Gate Keepers to the Supreme Court

• 13 Courts of Appeals

• 12 Districts and 1 Copy right/patent courts

• Uses Three Judge Panels

• Review appeals from the district courts

• Not a trial court, justices review cases and decisions

• Only grant appeals if some procedure or misapplication of the law is proven

1. How many judges are there in the federal trials courts and how many cases to they handle a year?

2. How many federal judicial districts are there?

3. Which states do not have federal judicial districts?

4. Define Criminal Case?

5. Define Civil Case?

6. What district is Missouri in? Kansas?

7. What crimes are committed that fall under the jurisdiction of the district courts?

8. Define Docket?

9. How many Appellate court judges is there?

10.Define Record?

11.What is the Trade Court?