Jurisdiction is a legal term that refers to the authority of a court to hear cases and make decisions. It is generally divided into two categories: original jurisdiction and appellate jurisdiction. Understanding these two types of jurisdiction can be challenging for those unfamiliar with legal terminology.
Original Jurisdiction refers to the power of the Supreme Court to hear cases for the first time and make a final judgment. This means that parties involved in the case have no further opportunity for appeal, whether they are satisfied with the verdict or not. Original jurisdiction mostly involves cases related to the interpretation of the constitution or disputes between states and the federal government. Courts with original jurisdiction are commonly known as trial courts.
Appellate Jurisdiction, on the other hand, refers to the Supreme Court’s power to review decisions made by lower federal and state courts and potentially overturn them. The majority of cases heard by the Supreme Court fall under appellate jurisdiction. This is because many decisions made by high courts in states are challenged by parties who feel aggrieved. The Supreme Court has the discretion to decide whether a case merits hearing or not.
Key Takeaways
- Original Jurisdiction is the authority of a court to decide a case based on trial and evidence, rather than an appeal.
- Appellate Jurisdiction is the authority of a court to hear a case upon appeal from a lower court.
- The Supreme Court has both original and appellate jurisdiction, with the majority of cases falling under appellate jurisdiction.
