Lesson VIII
Theme: The Court System of the USA
The Organization of the federal Courts
The American court system is complex. It functions as part of the federal system of government. Each state runs its own court system, and no two are identical. In addition, we have а system of courts for the national government. These federal courts coexist with the state courts.
Individuals fall under the jurisdiction of two different court systems, their state courts and federal courts. They can sue or be sued in either system, depending mostly on what their case is about. The vast majority of cases are resolved in the state courts.
The federal courts are organized in three tiers, like а pyramid. At the bottom of the pyramid are the US district courts, where litigation begins. In the middle are the US courts of appeals. At the top is the US Supreme Court. To appeal means to take а case to а higher court. The courts of appeals and the Supreme Court are appellate courts, with few exceptions; they review cases that have been decided in lower courts. Most federal courts hear and decide а wide array of cases; the judges in these courts are known as generalists.
Active Vocabulary
State Ч штат
Coexist Ч сосуществовать
To fall under the jurisdiction Ч подпадать под юрисдикцию
“о sue Ч подать иск
Vast majority Ч подавл¤ющие большинство
Appellate court Ч апелл¤ционный суд
To review case Ч рассматривать дело
District court Ч окружной суд
Tier Ч ¤рус
Supreme court Ч ¬ерховный суд
Attorney Ч адвокат в —Ўј
Litigation Ч судебное разбирательство