State Courts v.

Federal Courts

Mini Review • Stack the following courts with the trial court on the

bottom and the highest court on the top:

Court of Appeals Supreme Court District Court

Supreme Court

Court of Appeals

District Court

A Tale of Two CasesFreddy Federal and State Court Sam both have cases that need to go to court! However, Freddy has a federal case, while Sam has a state case.

Freddy Federal State Court Sam

A Tale of Two CasesThe federal system deals with cases about laws that apply to the whole United States.

Freddy FederalSome examples might be:

Disputes about the Constitution Disputes about immigration Disputes about a U.S. law

A Tale of Two CasesA state’s court system only deals with laws from that state.

State Court SamSome examples might be:

Disputes about property Disputes about accidents Prosecuting someone for a crime

A Tale of Two CasesBoth Freddy Federal and State Court Sam live in the State of Virginia.

Aloha!

State Court Sam

Freddy Federal

Hey Freddy! Let’s go to court together!

A Tale of Two CasesCan Freddy Federal and State Court Sam go to court together?

Even though they both live in Virginia, will their cases start in the same court?

Freddy Federal State Court Sam

A Tale of Two CasesSam will take his case through the Virginia court system. Virginia has its own system of state courts. (So does every other state.)

State Court Sam

NO!

GIVE AWAY REVIEW #1Which court system will Freddy’s case be heard in?

A. Virginia's state court systemB. The federal court system

Freddy Federal

GIVE AWAY REVIEW #1Which court system will Freddy’s case be heard in?

A. Virginia ‘s state court systemB. The federal court system

Freddy Federal

GIVE AWAY REVIEW #2Which court system will Sam’s case be heard in?

A. Virginia’s state court systemB. The federal court system

State Court Sam

GIVE AWAY REVIEW #2Which court system will Sam’s case be heard in?

A. Virginia’s state court systemB. The federal court system

State Court Sam

Sorry, Fred! Guess we can’t go to court together after all.

A Tale of Two CasesVirginia has its own state courts that deal with Virginia’s laws.

State Court Sam

A Tale of Two CasesVirginia has its own trial courts . . .

State Court Sam

That’s where I’ll start—in a

state trial court!

A Tale of Two CasesAnd its own Court of Appeals . . .

State Court Sam

If I lose in the trial court, I’ll bring my case

here!

A Tale of Two CasesAnd its own Supreme Court!

State Court Sam

I hope I win before I get this

far!

Quick ReviewHelp State Court Sam remember how the state court system works.1) Does Virginia have its own trial courts?

A. Yes B. No

Uh-oh… I can’t remember!

Quick ReviewHelp State Court Sam remember how the state court system works.1) Does Virginia have its own trial courts?

A. Yes B. No

I remember now!

Quick ReviewHelp State Court Sam remember how the state court system works.2) Do all states have their very own trial courts?

A. Yes B. No

I think I know this one…

Quick ReviewHelp State Court Sam remember how the state court system works.2) Do all states have their very own trial courts?

A. Yes B. No

I got it right!

Quick ReviewHelp State Court Sam remember how the state court system works.3) Does Virginia have its own Court of Appeals and Supreme Court?

A. Yes B. No

I’m starting to catch on…

Quick ReviewHelp State Court Sam remember how the state court system works.3) Does Virginia have its own Court of Appeals and Supreme Court?

A. Yes B. No

Woo-hoo!

Quick ReviewHelp State Court Sam remember how the state court system works.4) Do all states call their highest court the “Supreme Court?”

A. Yes B. No

Oh, no! This one is tricky!

Quick Review

Help State Court Sam remember how the state court system works.4) Do all states call their highest court the “Supreme Court?”

A. Yes B. No

Whew! That was a hard one.

(Remember: Different states may call their courts by different names.)

5 mins to review

• Virginia Court structure • Criminal Cases (last class)

POP QUIZ !!!!

Question 1

• Both Virginia and Federal Court deal criminal cases?

–True–False

Question 2

• Each state has the same court structure.

–True–False

Question 3

• If a person feels like a state supreme court ruling is unconstitutional who can they appeal to?

Question 4

• List one similarity between Virginia Courts and the US federal courts

Question 5

• List one differences between Virginia state court and the US federal courts

Question 6

• If you are under the age of 18 in the state of Virginia and commit a traffic violation, which court will you be sent to?

• General District Courts • Juvenile and Domestic Relations District

courts

Question 7

• Amendments 4-8 deals with what type of cases?

–Civil–Criminal

Question 8

• The following in the correct order

• Corrections• Pretrial• Crime• Investigation• Trial• Sentencing and Appeals• Arrest

Question 9

• Why couldn’t Freddy Federal and State Courts Sam go to trial with one another?

Freddy Federal

State Court Sam

Question 10

• In a criminal cases do all juries have to agree on the verdict?