Text с organization of federal and state courts

The American court system is complex. It functions as a part of federal system of government. Each state runs its own court system and no two are identical. In addition, there is a system of courts for the national government.

Courts vary in authority (or jurisdiction) from justice of the peace and small claims courts to the supreme courts of various states and the Supreme Court of the United States. State courts have power to decide cases involving state and local laws. Federal courts have power to decide cases involving federal law. These federal courts coexist with the state courts. Individuals fall under the jurisdiction of both court systems. They can sue* or be sued in either system, depending mostly on what their case is about. The vast majority of cases are resolved in the state courts.

There are ninety-four federal district courts in the United States. Each state has at least one district court. The federal courts are organized in three tiers, like a pyramid. At the bottom of the pyramid are the US district courts, where litigation begins. In the middle are the US courts of appeals. At the top is the US Supreme Court. The Supreme Court was created by the Constitution. All other federal courts were created by Congress. To appeal means to take a case to a higher court. The courts of appeals and the Supreme Court are appellate courts. With few exceptions, they review cases that have been decided in lower courts. Most federal courts hear and decide a lot of cases. The judges in these courts are known as generalists.

Most litigation occurs in state courts. The structure of state courts varies from state to state. Usually there are minor trial courts for less serious cases, intermediate appellate courts, and courts of last resort. State courts were created by state constitutions.

to sue – подавати позов, скаргу, порушувати справу, переслідувати

Exercise 9 Answer the questions according to the information from text C in writing.

1 Is the system of state courts similar to that of federal courts?

2 In what way are the federal courts organized?

3 Where does litigation begin?

4 What was the Supreme Court created by?

5 What is the court of last resort?

6 What does “to appeal” mean?

7 In what way are the state courts organized?

Exercise 10 Write down words and phrases with the following meanings. Translate them.

1) connected with the law, required by the law;

2) crimes which are serious and not serious;

4) an English lawyer who specializes in arguing cases and representation in any court;

5) legal ending of a marriage;

6) an English lawyer who gives advice to clients, investigates, prepares documents;

10) US lawyers having the right to prosecute.

Exercise 11 Replace the nouns in italics in the singular form by the plural one. Is this replacement always possible? What nouns are uncountable here? For references see the grammar supplement.

1 There wasn’t enough evidence to prove him guilty.

2 You should take legal advice before starting divorce proceedings.

3 This is a matter I know little about.

4 If I pay this debt I shall have no money left.

5 A barrister is specialized in arguing cases in a higher court.

6 A solicitor deals with petty crimes.

7 A US attorney is a powerful political figure.

Exercise 12 You’ve learnt a lot about different types of legal professions. Now test yourself matching the following definitions with the law professional titles and translate them.

barristers, High Court Judges, Magistrates, solicitors*, attorneys