Levels & Functions of Criminal Courts

Levels & Functions of Criminal Courts

by Juanita Perez

​Small Claims Court

• ​Only hear civil cases 

• Hear cases involving a limited amount of money 

• Only allow damages of up to $3,000 to be recovered 

• Cannot hear cases pertaining to professional malpractice, a marital or domestic dispute, claims arising from matters concerning a person’s will 

• Require claims to be filed by those 18 years of age or older

​State Court

• ​Decide more than 95 percent of the nation’s legal cases

• ​Can handle cases which may appeal all the way to the federal court level if a federal issue is involved

• ​this happens when the defendant feels the case was unfair or not properly carried out

• ​Are divided into trial courts and appellate courts

Multiple Choice

Only hear civil cases

• Small Claims Court

• State Court

• Trial Court

• Appellate Court

Multiple Choice

Hear cases involving a limited amount of money

• Small Claims Court

• State Court

• Trial Court

• Appellate Court

Multiple Choice

Only allow damages of up to $3,000 to be recovered

• Small Claims Court

• State Court

• Trial Court

• Appellate Court

Multiple Choice

Cannot hear cases pertaining to professional malpractice, a marital or domestic dispute, claims arising from matters concerning a person’s will

• Small Claims Court

• State Court

• Trial Court

• Appellate Court

Multiple Choice

Require claims to be filed by those 18 years of age or older

• Small Claims Court

• State Court

• Trial Court

• Appellate Court

Multiple Choice

Decide more than 95 percent of the nation’s legal cases

• Small Claims Court

• State Court

• Trial Court

• Appellate Court

Multiple Choice

Can handle cases which may appeal all the way to the federal court level if a federal issue is involved − this happens when the defendant feels the case was unfair or not properly carried out

• Small Claims Court

• State Court

• Trial Court

• Appellate Court

Multiple Choice

Are divided into trial courts and appellate courts

• Small Claims Court

• State Court

• Trial Court

• Appellate Court

Multiple Choice

Hear all criminal cases other than minor offenses

• Small Claims Court

• State Court

• Trial Court

• Appellate Court

Multiple Choice

 Can also be called county, district, superior, circuit or common plea courts

• Small Claims Court

• State Court

• Trial Court

• Appellate Court

Multiple Choice

 Keep thorough formal records of proceedings in order to have documentation if needed for appeals

• Small Claims Court

• State Court

• Trial Court

• Appellate Court

Multiple Choice

Do not have a limitation on the dollar amount of damages

• Small Claims Court

• State Court

• Trial Court

• Appellate Court

Multiple Choice

Are considered reviewing courts, and determine appeals from the decisions of the trial courts

• Small Claims Court

• State Court

• Trial Court

• Appellate Court

Multiple Choice

Are generally called the Supreme Courts of the State as they are the highest level of court system within a state

• Small Claims Court

• State Court

• Trial Court

• Appellate Court

​Trial Court

• ​Hear all criminal cases other than minor offenses

• ​Can also be called county, district, superior, circuit or common plea courts

• ​Keep thorough formal records of proceedings in order to have documentation if needed for appeals

• ​ Do not have a limitation on the dollar amount of damages

​Appellate Court

• ​Are considered reviewing courts, and determine appeals from the decisions of the trial courts

• ​Are generally called the Supreme Courts of the State as they are the highest level of court system within a state