THE
BRANCHES
BRANCHES
The executive branch is made up of a number of....
agencies which are responsible for enforcing the
law.
2 Trial Courts are...
District Court of Maryland
Circuit Court for Baltimore City
What court hears appeals. If a party believes that the law was wrongly applied, they may “appeal” the case.
INTERMEDIATE COURT
The Supreme Court is the what?
highest court in the land.
what is civil case?
A dispute between private individuals or organizations
What are the 3 agencies that responsible for enforcing the law? Name the type of government as well.
The Department of Defense (federal government)
- Motor Vehicle Administration (state government)
- The Baltimore Police Department (local government)
Intermediate Appellate Court is
Appellate Court of Maryland
what is the highest court in the “chain of command” for that court system and binds all courts below it.
The Court of Last Resort
What is District Court of Maryland
handles criminal misdemeanors and civil matters in Maryland
United States District Court is
handles exclusively federal cases
THE JUDICIAL BRANCH....
The Judicial branch (Judges) interprets statutory law and common law.
Court of Last Resort is
Supreme Court of Maryland
U.S. Supreme Court is
federal
what is a misdemeanor
A less serious criminal act
Circuit Court for Baltimore City
handles more serious cases, including criminal felonies and jury trails
FILL IN THE BLANK
They make rulings and write _____ about what the law means.
“opinions”
Listen to the evidence and determine what has been
proven is known as
“fact-finding courts”.
Supreme Court of Maryland (formerly: Court of Appeals) is
State
When the Supreme Court makes a decision about the US Constitution, it changes what ?
all governments within the United States are allowed to do.
Preponderance of the Evidence
a legal standard of proof in which the case must be proven by more than 50%
There are two court systems: what are they
• State Court
• Federal Court.
What does TRIAL COURTS do? List 2 of the 6 facts
- Hear civil and criminal cases.
• Decide pre-trial motions such as setting bail or granting a protective order.
• Listen to the evidence and determine what has been proven. Known as “fact-finding courts”.
• Consider evidence and apply the law to determine an outcome.
• Issue rulings, judgments and sentences.
• Handle certain post-trial issues such as motion for new trial, modification of sentence.
The structure of the Maryland court system: from highest to lowest (hint: there are 5 )
-Supreme Court of Maryland (appellate court of last resort)
- Appellate Court of Maryland (intermediate appellate court)
- Circuit Court for Baltimore City (trial court)
- The District Court of Maryland (trial court)
- Other fact-finding and administrative/quasi-judicial courts (like MVA hearings)
The chain of command for the federal system is: (hint: there are 3 main main chains highest to lowest)
-Supreme Court of the United States
- United States Court of Appeals for 4th Circuit
- District Court of the United States
Beyond reasonable doubt
a legal standard of proof required in criminal cases where a person's freedom is at stake