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.

Highest State Courts

All states have some sort of highest court. While they are usually referred to as supreme courts, some, such as the highest court in Maryland, are known as courts of appeal. 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. For example, the highest courts in several states have original jurisdiction over controversies regarding elections and the reapportionment of legislative districts. These courts often sit in panels of three, five, seven, or nine judges/justices.

8. Подберите для каждого названия американского суда его русский эквивалент.

1. Суд по делам несовершеннолетних

2. Промежуточный апелляционный суд

3. Муниципальный суд (суд первой инстанции в ряде штатов США)

4. Суд по делам о нарушений правил безопасности движения

5. Суд по делам о наследстве

6. Суд малых исков

7. Суд по семейным делам

1. Probate court ____________

2. Family court ______________

3. Traffic court ______________

4. Juvenile court ______________

5. Small claims court _______________

6. Municipal court ___________________

7. Intermediate appellate courts _________________

9. Ответьте на вопросы по тексту.

1. What types of courts are most state court systems made up of?

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

3. What jurisdiction does the Probate court have? What cases does it hear?

4. What cases does the Family court examine?

5. What is the jurisdiction of the Traffic court?

6. What cases does the Juvenile court handle?

7. What cases does the Small claims court handle?

8. What cases does the Municipal court handle?

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

10. What is the role of intermediate appellate courts?

11. What is the jurisdiction of highest state courts?

10. Изучите виды судебных дел, которые представлены ниже, и распределите их по соответствующим колонкам. Скажите, к юрисдикции какого суда относится каждое дело. Вспомните содержание текстов из упражнений 3 и 7.

1. Bankruptcy matters

2. Family law issues

3. Most personal injury lawsuits

4. Probate and inheritance matters

5. Crimes under statuses enacted by congress

6. Admiralty cases

7. Real property issues

8. Patent, copyright, and other intellectual property issues

9. Traffic violations and other misdemeanors occurring on certain federal property

10. Most traffic violations and registration of motor vehicles

11. Crimes under state legislation

12. State constitutional issues and cases involving state laws or regulations

13. Most cases involving federal laws or regulations (for example: tax, Social Security, broadcasting, civil rights)

14. Disputes between states

15. International trade law matters

16. Most private contract disputes (except those resolved under bankruptcy law)

17. Most issues involving the regulation of trades and professions

18. Cases involving rights under treaties, foreign states, and foreign nationals

19. Matters involving interstate and international commerce, including airline and railroad regulation

20. Most workers’ injury claims

21. Crimes under state legislation

FEDERAL COURTS	STATE COURTS

Unit 5