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Judicial Branch

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Part of government responsible for interpreting laws, includes courts and judges, Article III in the Constitution.

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Original Jurisdiction

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Authority for a court to hear a case for the first time.

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Appellate Jurisdiction

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Authority for a court to review cases from a lower district court or regulatory agency.

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Arraignment

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Hearing in which a suspect is charged and enters a plea (guilty or not guilty).

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Civil Case

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Involves a disagreement between two parties; person seeks compensation from someone who has wronged them.

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Criminal Law

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Deals with misdemeanors and felonies; someone is accused of breaking a law.

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Procedure in Criminal Cases

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Includes arrest, arraignment, preliminary hearing, indictment, trial, verdict, and possible appeal.

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Subpoena

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A court order to appear in court.

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Appeal

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Request to a higher court to rehear a case if the losing side feels injustice.

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Examples of Federal Cases

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Acts of terrorism, bankruptcy, crimes on federal property, disputes by states, constitutional questions, maritime law, cases involving foreign diplomats.