Court System Diagram

       Federal Courts                                                     State Courts

                Supreme Court                                             California Supreme Court

1 Chief Justice & 8 Assoc. Justices                            1 Chief Justice &

·       Nominated by the President                               6 Associate Justices

·       Approved by the Senate                                     

·       Serve for life w/good behavior                         

·       Simple majority makes decision:                       6 CA Courts of Appeals       

5-4                                                                       (San Diego is 4^th District)

                                                                                      Panel of 3 judges decide

          Original Jurisdiction                                         

·       Right to hear a case for the 1^st                     

time                                                                   Superior Court (each county)

·       Cases must involve states or                              Felonies/Civil cases OVER

     foreign ambassadors                                           $25,000                                                                                                                 Misdemeanors/Civil cases

          Appellate Jurisdiction                                        UNDER $25,000

·       Reviewing a case already heard                         Small Claims UNDER $5,000

in a lower court (looks for mistakes                                          

in handling or points of law)                                            

o      No new evidence allowed!

U.S. Court of Appeals

   13 Circuit Courts                                              Jury Vote in Criminal Cases:

  (CA is 9^th District)                                             12-0 = decision

       Panel of 3 judges decide                                    11-1 = hung jury

                                                           mistrial = new trial

     U.S. District Courts         

     94 throughout U.S.                                               Jury Vote in Civil Cases:

                                                                                             9-3 = verdict/award

Civil and criminal cases under the

U.S. Constitution and federal laws

or treaties.

                                      State Courts

California Supreme Court

1 Chief Justice &

6 Associate Justices

6 CA Courts of Appeals   

(San Diego is 4^th District)

Panel of 3 judges decide

Superior Court (each county)

Felonies/Civil cases OVER $25,000                                     

Misdemeanors/Civil cases UNDER $25,000

Small Claims UNDER $5,000

Jury Vote in Criminal Cases:

12-0 = decision

11-1 = hung jury

mistrial = new trial

Jury Vote in Civil Cases:

9-3 = verdict/award