trial court

(noun)

a tribunal established for the administration of justice, in which disputing parties come together to present information before a jury or judge that will decide the outcome of the case

Related Terms

Examples of trial court in the following topics:

  • U.S. Court of Appeals

    • The U.S. courts of appeals review the decisions made in trial courts and often serve as the final arbiter in federal cases.
    • These twelve circuit courts decide whether or not the district courts within their geographic jurisdiction have made an error in conducting a trial .
    • These judges base their decision on the record of the case established by the trial court or agency.
    • Meanwhile, the party defending against the appeal, known as the apellee, also presents a brief presenting reasons the trial court decision is correct or why an error made by the trial court is not significant enough to reverse the decision.
    • The court of appeals decision is usually the final word in the case unless it sends the case back to the trial court for additional proceedings.

  • U.S. District Courts

    • The United States district courts are the trial courts within the U.S. federal court system.
    • The U.S. district courts are responsible for holding general trials for civil and criminal cases.
    • Most defendants will plead guilty at this point instead of going to trial.
    • Those defendants who plead not guilty will be scheduled to receive a later trial.
    • While district courts are the primary trial courts within the U.S., two special trial courts exist outside of the district court system.

  • Basic Judicial Requirements

    • In federal legislation, regulations governing the "courts of the United States" only refer to the courts of the United States government, and not the courts of the individual states.
    • In practice, however, every state has adopted a division of its judiciary into at least two levels, and almost every state has three levels, with trial courts hearing cases which may be reviewed by appellate courts, and finally by a state supreme court.
    • State courts may have different names and organization; trial courts may be called "courts of common plea" and appellate courts "superior courts" or "commonwealth courts. " State courts hear about 98% of litigation; most states have special jurisdiction courts, which typically handle minor disputes such as traffic citations, and general jurisdiction courts, which handle more serious disputes.
    • The trial courts are U.S. district courts, followed by United States courts of appeals and then the Supreme Court of the United States.
    • Identify the type and structure of courts that make up the U.S. federal court system

  • Establishing Justice

    • State courts, which try 98% of litigation, may have different names and organization; trial courts may be called "courts of common plea", appellate courts "superior courts" or "commonwealth courts. "
    • It usually consists of a court of final appeal, together with lower courts.
    • In the United States court system, the Supreme Court is the final authority on the interpretation of the federal Constitution and all statutes and regulations created pursuant to it, as well as the constitutionality of the various state laws; in the U.S. federal court system, federal cases are tried in trial courts, known as the U.S. district courts, followed by appellate courts and then the Supreme Court.
    • State courts, which try 98% of litigation, may have different names and organization; trial courts may be called "courts of common plea," and appellate courts may be "superior courts" or "commonwealth courts. " The judicial system, whether state or federal, begins with a court of first instance, is appealed to an appellate court, and then ends at the court of last resort.
    • The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States .

  • Types of Courts

    • The federal court system has three levels: district courts, courts of appeals, and the Supreme Court.
    • The federal court system is divided into three levels: the first and lowest level is the United States district courts, the second, intermediate level is the court of appeals, and the Supreme Court is considered the highest court in the United States.
    • The United States district courts are the general federal trial courts, although in many cases Congress has passed statutes which divert original jurisdiction to these specialized courts or to administrative law judges (ALJs).
    • The United States courts of appeals are the federal intermediate appellate courts.
    • The highest court is the Supreme Court of the United States, which is considered the court of last resort .

  • The Judicial Branch

    • It consists of a court of final appeal in addition to lower courts.
    • In the US federal court system, federal cases are tried in trial courts, known as the US district courts, followed by appellate courts and then the Supreme Court.
    • Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States.
    • The United States courts of appeals are the intermediate appellate courts of the United States federal court system .
    • The United States district courts are the general trial courts of the United States federal court system.

  • The Seventh Amendment

    • The Seventh Amendment to the United States Constitution, part of the original Bill of Rights, codifies the right to a jury trial in certain civil cases, and asserts that cases may not be re-examined by another court.
    • In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

  • The Sixth Amendment

    • In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
    • Largest Murder Trial in the History of the United States.
    • Scene during Court Martial of 64 members of the 24th Infantry United States of America on trial for mutiny and murder of 17 people at Houston, Texas August 23, 1917.
    • Trial held in Gift Chapel Fort Sam Houston.
    • Trial started November 1, 1917, Brigadier General George K.

  • The Sixth Amendment and Jury Trials

    • The Supreme Court has applied the protections of this amendment to the states through the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
    • Originally, the Supreme Court held that the Sixth Amendment right to a jury trial indicated a right to "a trial by jury as understood and applied at common law, and includes all the essential elements as they were recognized in this country and England when the Constitution was adopted."
    • When, under the Fourteenth Amendment, the Supreme Court extended the right to a trial by jury to defendants in state courts, it re-examined some of the standards.
    • Although on the basis of history and precedent the Sixth Amendment mandates unanimity in a federal jury trial, the Supreme Court has ruled that the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, while requiring States to provide jury trials for serious crimes, does not incorporate all the elements of a jury trial within the meaning of the Sixth Amendment and does not require jury unanimity.
    • (Dec. 23, 2008) Legalman 1st Class Christie Richardson, a trial services legalman assigned to Region Legal Service Office Midwest makes an opening statement for the prosecution to a jury during a mock trial.

  • Article III

    • Article Three of the United States Constitution establishes the judicial branch of the federal government, including the Supreme Court and lower federal courts.
    • The judicial power of the United States, shall be vested in one Supreme Court, and in such inferior courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish.
    • In all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and those in which a state shall be party, the Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction.
    • The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be by jury; and such trial shall be held in the state where the said crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any state, the trial shall be at such place or places as the Congress may by law have directed.
    • No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court.