What are the three types of state courts and what are their primary responsibilities?
What will be an ideal response?
An ideal response would be:
The state courts are categorized as (1) minor courts of limited jurisdiction, (2) trial courts of general jurisdiction, and (3) appellate courts.
In most states, minor courts handle misdemeanors—relatively minor violations of state and local laws—as well as traffic cases and civil suits involving small amounts of money. In some places, they also hold preliminary hearings and set bail for more serious charges.
Major trial courts of original jurisdiction, where cases first appear, are called county courts, circuit courts, superior courts, district courts, and common pleas courts. They administer common, criminal, equity, and statutory law. In most states, felonies are tried in these major trial courts; felonies are serious crimes, and the penalty can range from imprisonment in a penitentiary for more than a year to death. Some states maintain separate courts for criminal and civil matters.
In a few states with relatively smaller caseloads, trial court decisions are appealed directly to the state supreme court. Most states, however, have intermediate appeals courts that fit into the system in much the same way that the U.S. Courts of Appeals fit into the federal structure.
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The federal program that allocates federal funds to the states to be used for any purpose is called
A) a block grant. B) general revenue sharing. C) devolution. D) mandate spending. E) state grants.
Organizations of like-minded individuals who desire to influence government are commonly called
a. political parties. b. interest groups. c. lobbyists. d. political action committees.