Question

Our federal system establishes a national government and fifty state governments that share

similar structures. To illustrate the similarities, identify the structure of the US court system and

that of the California court system. Explain the functions of the courts

Answer 1

The U.S. Constitution provides for three levels at which court cases can be heard in both the federal and state governments. Federal judges are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. They hold office for life. California State court judges are selected by appointment for a given number of years and by election.

	U.S. Supreme Court	California State Supreme Court
Courts of Last Resort	A party may ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review a decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals.	A party may ask the State Supreme Court to review a decision of the District Courts of Appeal.
Appellate Courts	Parties dissatisfied with a decision may appeal to one of nine Circuit Courts of Appeal. (Californians file appeals with the ninth circuit.)	Parties dissatisfied with a decision may appeal to one of six District Courts of Appeal.
Trial Courts	The Constitution gives Congress the authority to create the federal courts. There are 94 federal trial courts. (California has four federal courts: the Northern, Eastern, Central, and Southern districts.)	The California Constitution establishes the state courts. There are 58 Superior Courts in California, one in every county.