FEDERAL OR STATE COURT



Name: _____________________________

NORTH CAROLINA COURTS

N.C. DISTRICT COURT

Trial Courts, or District Courts, can be divided into four categories, civil, criminal, juvenile and magistrate. Like the Superior Court, District Court sits in the county seat of each county. It may also sit in certain other cities and towns, specifically authorized by the General Assembly.

N.C. SUPERIOR COURT

All felony criminal cases, civil cases involving more than $10,000 and misdemeanor and infraction appeals from District Court are tried in Superior Court. A jury of 12 hears the criminal cases. In the civil cases, juries are often waived.

N.C. COURT OF APPEALS

The Court of Appeals is North Carolina's intermediate appellate court. Fifteen judges hear cases in panels of three. The Court of Appeals reviews the proceedings that occurred in the trial courts for errors of law or legal procedure; it decides only questions of law - not questions of fact. All cases appealed from the Superior and District courts in civil and criminal cases, except capital murder cases in which the Superior Court pronounces a judgment imposing the death penalty, are heard by the Court of Appeals.

N.C. SUPREME COURT

The Supreme Court of North Carolina is the state's highest court, and there is no further appeal in the state from their decisions. This court has a chief justice and six associate justices who sit together as a panel in Raleigh. The Supreme Court has no jury, and it makes no determination of fact; rather, it considers error in legal procedures or in judicial interpretation of the law

For each of the following statements, STATE and EXPLAIN if the scenario applies to:

N.C. District Court, N.C. Superior Court, N.C. Court of Appeals, or N.C. Supreme Court.

1. Paul is arrested for murder and is given a jury trial. Which court would handle his case?

2. Maggie is found guilty for arson, but has new evidence that could prove her innocence. Which court would review her case?

3. Kip is charged with possession of a controlled substance. This is a misdemeanor offense. Which court would hear his case?

4. Curtis gets a speeding ticket for going 45 mph in a 35 mph zone. He believes he was not speeding and wants to fight the ticket. Which court would hear his case?

5. Max is facing the death penalty, but believes his execution violates the state constitution. Which court would hear his case?

6. This court is made up of 7 judges who are elected by the people and it is the highest court in the state.

7. Sally wants her case reviewed because she believes the jury was biased and she wants a new trial. Which court would review this case and give her a new trial?

8. A group of smokers sues North Carolina tobacco farmers for $50 million dollars because they have developed long cancer. Which court would hear this case?

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