Judicial Branch Basics

What is a criminal case?

• A court case where the law has been broken

• A court case where the law has not been broken

• A meeting between two people or groups

• A government meeting

What is a civil case?

• A court case where the law has been broken

• A court case where the law has not been broken

• A meeting between two people or groups

• A government meeting

What is jurisdiction?

• The authority to file a court case

• The authority to read a court case

• The authority to hear and make a decision about a court case

• The authority to smell a court case

What is original jurisdiction?

• The authority to make up laws

• The authority to hear a case FIRST and make a decision

• The authority to review a case from a lower court

• The authority to appoint judges

What is appellate jurisdiction?

• The authority to make up laws

• The authority to hear a case FIRST and make a decision

• The authority to review a case from a lower court

• The authority to appoint judges

What is a misdemeanor?

• A serious crime with a penalty of more than a year in prison

• A less serious crime with a penalty of less than a year in prison

• A mysterious crime that goes unsolved

• A crime committed by two or more people

What is a felony?

• A serious crime with a penalty of more than a year in prison

• A less serious crime with a penalty of less than a year in prison

• A mysterious crime that goes unsolved

• A crime committed by two or more people

What is the highest court in the US?

• US District Court

• US Court of Appeals

• US Supreme Court

• VA Supreme Court

Which court ONLY has original jurisdictions? (HINT: It is where most cases start.)

• US District Court

• US Court of Appeals

• US Supreme Court

• VA Supreme Court

Which is the only US court with a jury?

• US District Court

• US Court of Appeals

• US Supreme Court

• VA Supreme Court