The History and Structure of the American Criminal Court System

A close-up of a building with pillars AI-generated content may be incorrect..

[Audio] Our court system began with English common law, which shaped early colonial courts. After the Constitution was written in 1789, Congress created the federal court system through the Judiciary Act of 1789. Over the years, courts expanded as the country grew. Today, the system includes many courts with specific roles and procedures (Neubauer & Fradella, 2019)..

[Audio] The U.S. uses a "dual court system," meaning we have both federal and state courts. State courts manage most cases, like theft, assault, and traffic offenses. Federal courts handle crimes such as immigration violations, drug trafficking across states, or crimes on federal property. Even though they are separate, both systems must follow the Constitution..

[Audio] Jury trials came from English traditions where citizens helped decide guilt. The Sixth Amendment guaranteed this right in 1791. Over time, major Supreme Court cases expanded and improved jury trials. For example, juries must be selected fairly, cannot exclude people based on race or gender, and must represent the community (Neubauer & Fradella, 2019)..

[Audio] A bench trial involves only the judge, who listens to evidence and decides the verdict. These trials are quicker and sometimes chosen when legal issues are complex. A jury trial involves 6–12 community members who listen to evidence and decide guilt. Jury trials are required for most serious criminal cases because they protect fairness and limit government power..

[Audio] The U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon is part of the federal system. It hears cases involving federal crimes like drug trafficking, major fraud, or crimes on federal lands. The court also handles civil cases involving federal law. Federal judges here are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate..

[Audio] In Oregon, jurors are chosen randomly from voter and DMV records. They must meet requirements such as being a U.S. citizen and a state resident. Lawyers can dismiss jurors who may be biased. During the trial, jurors listen to evidence and decide whether the prosecution proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt. In criminal trials, the verdict must be unanimous..

[Audio] Appellate courts were created to reduce the burden on the Supreme Court and ensure fair decisions. They do not retry cases. Instead, they review whether the law was applied correctly. In 1891, Congress created the U.S. Courts of Appeals to handle most appeals so the Supreme Court could focus on major constitutional issues..

[Audio] When a case from the Oregon District Court is appealed, it moves to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Ninth Circuit reviews legal issues, not new evidence. It can uphold the decision, reverse it, or send the case back for a new trial or hearing. From there, cases may go to the U.S. Supreme Court..

CloseUp of Law Books and Legal Reference Materials | Premium AI-generated image.