The Judicial SystemThe Judicial System

The Chief Justice:The Chief Justice:

      

Head of any court: The Head of any court: The judgejudge

Sometimes: a judgeSometimes: a judgeSometimes: a jurySometimes: a jury

Plaintiff: person doing the accusing- remember like Plaintiff: person doing the accusing- remember like com-plain-tiffcom-plain-tiff

Defendant: person being accusedDefendant: person being accused Verdict: the judgmentVerdict: the judgment

Jury DutyJury Duty How am I selected for jury duty?How am I selected for jury duty? Your name is randomly selected from the list of registered Your name is randomly selected from the list of registered voters or the drivers license list in the county where you live.voters or the drivers license list in the county where you live.

How can I request to be excused?How can I request to be excused? Requests for permanent excuse from jury duty are listed in Item 15 of the Requests for permanent excuse from jury duty are listed in Item 15 of the

Juror Qualification Questionnaire. Requests for a temporary excuse during Juror Qualification Questionnaire. Requests for a temporary excuse during the month for previously planned vacation, work-related training or travel, the month for previously planned vacation, work-related training or travel, or other hardship, should be included when returning your questionnaire.or other hardship, should be included when returning your questionnaire.

How long is my term of service?How long is my term of service? Your term of service will last for one month. You will not report each day, Your term of service will last for one month. You will not report each day,

you will be "on call" and instructed by the recorded message when you you will be "on call" and instructed by the recorded message when you must report. Most trials last (1-3) days, however, some trials may be must report. Most trials last (1-3) days, however, some trials may be longer.longer.

What is a PETIT jury?What is a PETIT jury? A PETIT jury is a trial jury for both civil and criminal cases. The PETIT jury A PETIT jury is a trial jury for both civil and criminal cases. The PETIT jury

listens to the evidence offered during a trial and returns a verdict. A verdict listens to the evidence offered during a trial and returns a verdict. A verdict in a civil case may be finding for the plaintiff or for the defendant. A verdict in a civil case may be finding for the plaintiff or for the defendant. A verdict in a criminal case finds the defendant guilty or not guilty.in a criminal case finds the defendant guilty or not guilty.

What is a GRAND jury?What is a GRAND jury? A GRAND jury does not determine guilt or innocence, but whether A GRAND jury does not determine guilt or innocence, but whether

there is probable to believe that a crime was committed. The evidence there is probable to believe that a crime was committed. The evidence is normally presented only by an attorney for the government.is normally presented only by an attorney for the government.

What will I be paid for jury duty?What will I be paid for jury duty? A $40.00 attendance fee is paid for each day you are required to A $40.00 attendance fee is paid for each day you are required to

report, whether or not you are selected. U. S. Government employees report, whether or not you are selected. U. S. Government employees will not receive an attendance fee. You will be paid 44.5 cents per mile. will not receive an attendance fee. You will be paid 44.5 cents per mile. Your mileage is automatically calculated by your zip code.Your mileage is automatically calculated by your zip code.

What happens if I don't report for jury duty?What happens if I don't report for jury duty? Any juror who fails to report for jury duty and who is not excused by Any juror who fails to report for jury duty and who is not excused by

the Court may be served with a Show Cause Order by the U. S. the Court may be served with a Show Cause Order by the U. S. Marshal's Office. Subsequently, those jurors will be required to show Marshal's Office. Subsequently, those jurors will be required to show cause why they should not be held in contempt of the Court pursuant cause why they should not be held in contempt of the Court pursuant to the Jury Selection Act. Contempt penalties range from a fine of to the Jury Selection Act. Contempt penalties range from a fine of $100.00 to three days imprisonment$100.00 to three days imprisonment

Appeals Court: Appeals Court:

A place to have a case heard A place to have a case heard again…..again…..

BUT notBUT not just a place to go if just a place to go if you didnyou didn’’t like the verdict.t like the verdict.

Re-hearing a trial can only Re-hearing a trial can only happen when some happen when some legallegal wrong happened in the first trialwrong happened in the first trial

2 basic kinds of court 2 basic kinds of court ““systemssystems””

Federal Court: Federal Federal Court: Federal lawslaws

Robbing a bankRobbing a bank Terrorist activitiesTerrorist activities Crossing state lines Crossing state lines

while committing a while committing a crimecrime

KidnappingKidnapping

State Courts: State State Courts: State LawsLaws

SpeedingSpeeding Divorces / CustodyDivorces / Custody Writing bad checksWriting bad checks ShopliftingShoplifting Drug / Alcohol offensesDrug / Alcohol offenses

Local courts are part of Local courts are part of the state court system.the state court system.

There are 3 basic kinds of There are 3 basic kinds of lawslaws

Constitutional LawConstitutional Law: things that are : things that are written out in the constitution.written out in the constitution.

Statutory LawStatutory Law: laws made by : laws made by lawmakers.lawmakers.

Common LawCommon Law: Based on past court : Based on past court decisions and experience over the years.decisions and experience over the years.

2 different kinds of court 2 different kinds of court casescases

Criminal CaseCriminal Case: when : when a person is accused of a person is accused of breaking a lawbreaking a law

Civil CaseCivil Case: deals : deals with problems with problems between 2 peoplebetween 2 people