THE COURT SYSTEM EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Trial Court - Correct Answers -Courts that determine the facts and apply the law to the
facts. Also called Courts of Original Jurisdiction.
Two functions of Trial Courts - Correct Answers -1. Must determine whose version of
the facts is most credible.
2. Must apply the law to those facts to reach a decision.
Criminal parties are: - Correct Answers -Defendants vs. State
Civil parties are: - Correct Answers -Plaintiff(s) vs. Defendant(s)
Bench trial - Correct Answers -A trial conducted without a jury. The Judge will decide
the factual as well as the legal questions.
Jury trial - Correct Answers -Questions of fact are determined by the jury, while the
Judge determines the questions of law.
Appellate Courts: - Correct Answers -Courts that determine whether lower courts have
made errors of law. Do not hear testimony and rely on written record, attorney briefs
and attorney arguments to determine if the trial court made and error regarding the law
(Legal error; not factual issues)A
Parties in the Appellate courts are known as: - Correct Answers -Appellant or Petitioner
- the party filing the appeal.
Appellee or Respondent - the party who won in the trial court.
Affirm - Correct Answers -The Appellate court determines that no legal error occurred.
Harmless error - Correct Answers -If a legal error occurred, but the court determines
that it was minor and did not affect the result.
U.S. Supreme Court - Correct Answers -The highest court in the federal system. Limited
number of cases involving the most important Constitutional issues and conflicts among
the circuits. Nine justices hear all appeals as a group "en banc."
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Trial Court - Correct Answers -Courts that determine the facts and apply the law to the
facts. Also called Courts of Original Jurisdiction.
Two functions of Trial Courts - Correct Answers -1. Must determine whose version of
the facts is most credible.
2. Must apply the law to those facts to reach a decision.
Criminal parties are: - Correct Answers -Defendants vs. State
Civil parties are: - Correct Answers -Plaintiff(s) vs. Defendant(s)
Bench trial - Correct Answers -A trial conducted without a jury. The Judge will decide
the factual as well as the legal questions.
Jury trial - Correct Answers -Questions of fact are determined by the jury, while the
Judge determines the questions of law.
Appellate Courts: - Correct Answers -Courts that determine whether lower courts have
made errors of law. Do not hear testimony and rely on written record, attorney briefs
and attorney arguments to determine if the trial court made and error regarding the law
(Legal error; not factual issues)A
Parties in the Appellate courts are known as: - Correct Answers -Appellant or Petitioner
- the party filing the appeal.
Appellee or Respondent - the party who won in the trial court.
Affirm - Correct Answers -The Appellate court determines that no legal error occurred.
Harmless error - Correct Answers -If a legal error occurred, but the court determines
that it was minor and did not affect the result.
U.S. Supreme Court - Correct Answers -The highest court in the federal system. Limited
number of cases involving the most important Constitutional issues and conflicts among
the circuits. Nine justices hear all appeals as a group "en banc."
