Dual System

• Separate federal courts from state courts
• Match the case to the right jurisdiction
• Know cases rarely cross between systems

Federal Courts

• Handle federal law and constitutional issues
• Cover treaties, admiralty, and bankruptcy
• Trigger on subject matter or diversity

State Courts

• Handle criminal, family, and property law
• Resolve contracts under state law
• Hinge jurisdiction on residency

Hierarchy

• Start at district courts, ninety-four districts
• Appeal through thirteen circuit courts
• End at the single Supreme Court

Case Start

• Investigate, then present findings to prosecutor
• File complaint or indictment in district court
• Advise rights at the initial appearance

Pretrial

• Exchange evidence through discovery
• File motions and negotiate pleas
• Resolve disputes at pretrial hearings

Key Players

• Trust the judge as impartial arbiter
• Face the prosecutor for the government
• Rely on defense counsel for rights

After Trial

• Impose sentence or final judgment
• Set terms of supervision
• Appeal upward through the circuits