District judges sit individually to hear cases. Along with the district judges, located within the district courts you will also have bankruptcy judges (only hear bankruptcy cases) and magistrate judges (conduct some judicial duties under the general supervision of district judges). At the next level, you will find the U.S. circuit courts of appeals. There are 12 regional intermediate appellate courts located in different parts of the country. A panel of three judges will hear appeals from the district courts. A party to a case may appeal As a matter of right to the circuit court of appeals. However in a criminal case if the verdict is not guilty, the government has no right of appeal. Furthermore, hearing appeals, you have the regional circuit courts who hear appeals from decisions of Federal administrative …show more content…
Each state is different and has their own distinctive features. In most states, the courts may have limited jurisdiction presided over by a single judge whom will hear minor criminal and civil court cases. Along with that, states will also have a general jurisdiction trial courts that are presided over by a single judge, which are normally known as superior courts or circuit courts. These courts hear major criminal and civil cases. There are states that do have “specialized" courts. These courts will only hear certain types of cases i.e. family law or traffic cases. One thing each state does have in common is a state supreme court (known as the highest court), serving as an appellate court. Another thing many states have is an intermediate appellate court called the court of appeals. This court hears appeals from the trial court. In most instances a party has one right of appeal to their