1. Federal Courts
1.1. courts established by the United States Constitution
1.1.1. District Courts
1.1.1.1. lowest of the federal courts; these courts usually have original jurisdiction in cases that start at the federal level
1.1.1.1.1. formed under the Judiciary Act of 1789
1.1.2. Appellate Courts
1.1.2.1. middle level of the federal judiciary; these courts review and hear appeals from the federal district courts
1.1.2.1.1. exercises appellate jurisdiction only, reviewing decisions made by the federal district courts and certain specialized federal courts
1.1.3. Supreme Court
1.1.3.1. Rule of Four
1.1.3.1.1. will hear the case if four or more justices vote to do so
1.1.3.2. Writ of Certiorari
1.1.3.2.1. judicial discretion
1.1.3.2.2. request for a lower court to send up the record of a case in order for the justices to review the ruling
1.1.3.3. Precedent
1.1.3.3.1. judicial decision that guides future courts in handling similar cases
1.1.3.4. Stare Decisis
1.1.3.4.1. practice of letting a previous legal decision stand
1.1.3.5. Amicus Curiae
1.1.3.5.1. belief filed by someone who is not a party to a case in an attempt to persuade the court to agree with the arguments set forth in the belief
1.1.3.6. Judicial Decision
1.1.3.6.1. Majority Opinion
1.1.3.6.2. Plurality Opinion
1.1.3.6.3. Concurring Opinion
1.1.3.6.4. Dissenting Opinion
2. State Courts
2.1. courts established by the laws of each state
2.1.1. Lower State Courts
2.1.1.1. Special Courts
2.1.1.1.1. Probate
2.1.1.1.2. Family
2.1.1.1.3. Juvenile
2.1.1.2. Criminal Cases
2.1.1.2.1. homicide
2.1.1.2.2. assault and battery
2.1.1.2.3. theft
2.1.1.2.4. DUI
2.1.1.3. Civil Cases
2.1.1.3.1. landlord / tenant issues
2.1.1.3.2. breach of contract claims
2.1.1.3.3. equitable claims
2.1.2. State Supreme Court
2.1.2.1. intermediate system of appellate courts that operate with appellate jurisdiction
2.1.2.2. highest court in that state's system and the final level of appeal