Which of the following Courts does NOT have Original Jurisdiction? a) US Federal Court of Appeals b) US Supreme Court c) US Federal District Court d) Local County Courts
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is a) US Federal Court of Appeals.
Explanation
Original jurisdiction refers to the power of a court to hear a case for the first time, as opposed to appellate jurisdiction, which is the power to review decisions made by lower courts. Understanding the different jurisdictions of various courts is essential to grasp how the U.S. judicial system operates.
- US Federal Court of Appeals: The Court of Appeals primarily has appellate jurisdiction, meaning it reviews decisions made by lower courts, specifically the U.S. Federal District Courts. It does not hear cases for the first time; instead, it evaluates whether the law was applied correctly in previous rulings. Appeals typically arise from disputes over the interpretation of law or procedure, rather than factual disagreements.
- US Supreme Court: The Supreme Court has both original and appellate jurisdiction. It primarily acts as an appellate court but can exercise original jurisdiction in specific cases, such as those involving ambassadors, public ministers, and states as parties. This means that while it often reviews lower court decisions, it can also be the first court to hear certain types of cases.
- US Federal District Court: These courts have original jurisdiction over most federal cases, including civil and criminal matters. They are the trial courts of the federal system, where cases begin and evidence is presented.
- Local County Courts: These courts typically have original jurisdiction over state law cases, including family law, traffic violations, and criminal cases at the local level. They serve as the initial venue for many types of legal disputes.
In summary, the US Federal Court of Appeals is the only court listed that does not have original jurisdiction, as its role is strictly to hear appeals from lower courts. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify the structure of the judicial system and the pathways through which cases move.