7. American Court System

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Task 1. Read the text.

 

The Organization of the Federal Courts Today

The American court system is complex. It functions as part of the federal system of government. Each state has its own court system, and no two are identical. In addition there is a system of courts for the national government. These federal courts coexist with the state courts.

Individuals fall under the jurisdiction of two different court systems, their state courts and federal courts.

The vast majority of cases are heard in the state courts.

The federal courts are organized in three tiers, like a pyramid. At the bottom of the pyramid are the US district courts, where litigation begins. In the middle is the US Supreme Court. To appeal means to take a case to a higher court. The courts of appeals and the Supreme Court are appellate courts, with few exceptions, they review cases that have been decided in lower courts. Most federal courts hear and decide a wide number of cases; the judges in these courts are known as generalists.

 

Task 2. Learn the following words and expressions. Make your own sentences with them.

1. to coexist- сосуществовать	2. an individual - частное лицо
3. a state court - суд штата	4. a federal court - федеральный суд
5. to fall under the jurisdiction - подпадать под юрисдикцию	6. the Supreme Court- Верховный суд
7. a litigation - тяжба, судебное	8. a district court-окружной суд
9. an exception - исключение

 

Task 3. Give the Russian equivalents to the words below:

As part of the federal system of government; no two are identical; in addition; coexist with the state courts; the vast majority of cases; are organized in three tiers; where litigation begins; the Supreme Court.

 

Task 4. Find in the text the English equivalents for the following words:

частные лица; окружные суды; исключение; ярус; попадать под юрис­дикцию; федеральные суды; тяжба.

 

Task 6. Fill in the blanks.

 

The Federal and State Court Systems

 

The federal courts have three tiers: (a) ... courts, courts of (b) ... and the (c) ... Court. The (d) ... Court was created by the Constitution; all other (e) ... courts were created by Congress. Most litigation occurs in (f)... courts. The structure of (g)... courts varies from state to state; usually there are (h)..., intermediate (i)... courts were created by state constitutions.

 

Task 7. Match each word on the left with the definition on the right.

a) litigation	1. to take a case to a higher court for rehearing and new decision
b) petition	2. the power, right or authority to apply the law
c) to sue	3. a formal written request to a superior
d) jurisdiction	4. a lawsuit
e) majority	5. the number greater than half of any total
f) to appeal	6. to make a legal claim

 

 

Task 8. Is it true or false:

1.                      The American court system is complex.

2.                      The Federal courts do not coexist vvith the state courts.

2.                      The vast majority of cases are heard in the federal courts

3.                      Litigation begins in the Supreme Court.

4.                      The state courts are organized in three tiers

Task 9. Answer the questions.

1.                       In what way are the federal courts Organized?

2.                       Where does litigation begin?

3.                       What does the word «to appeal» mean?

4.                       In what courts are the vast majority of cases heard?

5.                       How are the judges of the federal courts known?

Task 10. Speak about the Court system of the USA.