Intermediate Appellate Courts

Many, but not all, states have intermediate appellate courts between the trial courts of general jurisdiction and the highest court in the state. Any party, except in a case where a defendant in a criminal trial has been found not guilty, who is not satisfied with the judgment of a state trial court may appeal the matter to an appropriate intermediate appellate court. These courts usually sit in panels of two or three judges and review cases appealed from trial courts to determine if the law was correctly interpreted and applied.

Highest State Courts

All states have some sort of highest court.. In states with intermediate appellate courts, the

highest state courts usually have discretionary review as to whether to accept a case. In states without intermediate appellate courts, appeals may usually be taken to the highest state court as a matter of right. In addition, many state supreme courts have original jurisdiction in certain matters.

COMPREHENSION PRACTICE

1.Scan the text to find answers to the following questions.

1. What cases do trial courts of limited jurisdiction deal with?

2. What jurisdiction does the Probate court have?

3. What cases does the Family court examine?

4. What is the jurisdiction of the Traffic court?

5. What cases does the Juvenile court consider?

6. What cases does the Small claims court hear?

7. What cases does the Municipal court deal with?

8. What is the jurisdiction of trial courts of general jurisdiction?

9. What is the role of intermediate appellate courts?

10. What is the jurisdiction of highest state courts?

SPEECH PRACTICE