Ally A. Robertson
CJA/204
July 22, 2010
Mr. Todd Larson
Court System Paper
Describe the major historical developments of the U.S. courts. There are two judicial systems; first one is the state and local courts established under the authority of state governments. Federal courts system is the other that was created by Congress under the authority of the U.S constitution.
General agreement among the nation’s founders, that there was a need for dual court system for individual states to regain significant legislative authority and judicial autonomy separate from federal control.
State court system is made up of trial court, appellate courts and general jurisdiction. State court system is typically includes a supreme court. Included but not limited in state court system is that it virtually unlimited power to decide nearly every type of case, subject only to the limitations of the U.S Constitutions, and state law and it is within state courts that the large majority of criminal cases originate.
Federal court system made up of three levels: U.S. district courts, U.S. courts of appeal, and the U.S. Supreme court. U.S. district courts are the trial courts of the federal system and are located principally in larger cities. Federal decided only those cases over which the Constitution gives them authority. In the federal court system the highest court is the U.S. Supreme court which is located in the state of Washington, D.C. Supreme courts only hears cases on appeal from lower courts. The courtroom is made up comprised of professional courtroom personal., which include the judge, the defense counsel, the court reporter, the prosecuting attorney, the clerk of the court the local court administrator, the bailiff and the expert witness.[Also present in the courtroom for a trial are “outsides” non professional courtroom participants like witnesses and
References: Schmalleger F. (2009). Criminal Justice Today: An Introductory Text for the 21st Century (10th edition.).Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.