What is a circuit court? Is it an appeal court? Why don't we simply name it appeal court?

Question

What kind of appeal cases can arrive in the Supreme Court?

Answer 1

The first level is the District court - where trials are held and heard by the Judge - no jury involved. At this lower court defendants can waive their rights to a jury trial and the case can be heard in the district court.

Circuit Court - is where defendants do not waive their right to a jury trial and the 12 jurors hear the case in the Circuit Court.

The Circuit court is also an appeals court, but only hears cases from the lower district court on appeal. Usually by trial de-novo (sp) or a do over - Something that always drove me nuts - a do over as if the courts were ruled by children on the playground.

The Supreme Court determines what cases it will hear if you are talking about the Federal level. Death penalty cases, search and seizure, violations of human rights are examples.

Answer 2

Appeal court and circuit court are two different things. If you are charged with a crime your case is in circuit court. If you lose, then you can appeal to the court of Appeals. If you lose your appeal you ask the Supreme court to hear your case. and if you lose in your state supreme court you can appeal to the supreme court of the United States.

It is up to the justices of the supreme courts, both state and federal as to what cases they hear. They vote to hear a case or not hear a case. The supreme court of the US has 9 justices so there can not be a tie vote. Usually the supreme court takes cases where a question of rights is involved and if they think there may have been a violation of those rights.

You or any other citizen are advised of your rights before a police officer can question you because of a supreme court decision.

Answer 3

A circuit court is an appellate court which has jurisdiction over cases tried by the lower courts. Cases when death is the penalty is automatically reviewed by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court had appellate jurisdiction over cases tried by the Court of Appeals. It has original jurisdiction over cases involving the constitutionality of international agreements and treaties.