State, Federal & U.S. Supreme Courts

Terminology

100

A court order requiring an accused person to appear in court

Summons 

200

A private hearing (to only include the jury, prosecutor and witness(es) ); the defendant is not here during this court proceeding 

Grand Jury 

300

Legal proceeding to determine if there is sufficient probable cause to hold the accused for trial 

Preliminary Hearing 

400

A request made by the prosecution and defense teams to share evidence and/or ban evidence from the trial 

Pre-trial motion 

500

A court order requiring a person to appear in court to give testimony or provide evidence 

Subpoena 

Terminology/State Courts

100

Court hearing where a person is formally told the charges, informed of their rights and enters a plea

Arraignment 

200

A formal court process where prosecution and defense present evidence and arguments to decide if the defendant is guilty or not guilty 

Trial 

300

This court level handles small claims, misdemeanor cases, traffic violations, issuance of warrants, and marriages 

Justice of the Peace 

400

This court level handles things such as Assault Causes Bodily Injury (NON-family violence) and DWI (FIRST offense) 

Constitutional County Court 

500

This court handles cases such as serious crimes, civil cases with large amount of money being involved; this court system has original jurisdiction over felonies in the state 

District Court 

State Courts

100

This court level handles cases such as Assault Causes Bodily Injury (TO INCLUDE family violence) and DWI (REPEAT offenses) 

County Courts at Law 

200

This court makes the final decision in criminal cases, and it is required that they review death penalty cases. This is the last resort!

Court of Criminal Appeals 

300

This court makes the final decisions in civil cases and juvenile cases

Texas Supreme Courts 

400

In this court, civil cases are NOT heard, but class C misdemeanors, animal control violations and traffic offenses are

Municipal Courts

500

This court hears appeals from county & district courts 

Court of Appeals 

Federal Courts

100

Who signed the Judiciary Act of 1789?

George Washington 

200

TRUE OR FALSE: federal district courts deal with criminal and civil cases at the federal level 

True 

300

How many federal district courts are there in the state of Texas? 

4

400

How many levels of modern federal court systems are there today in the United States? 

3

500

How does one become a judge for the federal district courts? 

Appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate 

U.S. Supreme Courts

100

How many judges total (to include the chief justice) do we have in the U.S. Supreme Court? 

9

200

When did the current chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court start his role as chief justice? 

2005

300

How many judges in the U.S. Supreme Court have to agree in order for the decision to be made on a case? 

5

400

When does the U.S. Supreme Court start their terms for the year? 

First Monday in October