LENB 3135 TEST 2 REVIEW QUESTIONS
Jurisdiction - Answer -Courts' power to hear cases and render decisions that bind the
parties before them.
Trial courts or courts of original jurisdiction - Answer -Most civil or criminal cases start
here when they first enter the legal system.
- Parties present evidence and call witnesses to testify
- In most states, these courts are called courts of common pleas or county courts
What are trial courts called in the federal system? - Answer -Federal district courts
Courts of appellate jurisdiction or appellate courts - Answer -Higher courts, usually
consisting of more than one judge, that have the power to review previous judicial
decisions to determine whether trial courts erred in their decisions.
Do appellate courts hold trials? - Answer -No
What do appellate judges do? - Answer -Review transcripts of trial court proceedings
and occasionally consider additional oral and written arguments from each party
What is a question of law? - Answer -An issue concerning the interpretation or
application of a law
What is a question of fact? - Answer -A question about an event or characteristic in a
case
Who answers questions of fact depends on the __________. - Answer -trier of fact
What is the general rule regarding appellate courts and questions of fact? - Answer -
Appellate courts handle only questions of law, not questions of fact.
What is the exception to the general rule that appellate courts cannot handle questions
of fact? - Answer -If the jury got it REALLY wrong (This rarely ever happens)
Only judges can decide questions of law. (T/F) - Answer -True
Who determines questions of fact? - Answer -Trial courts
Juries can sometimes answer questions of law. (T/F) - Answer -False; Juries can
NEVER answer questions of law (only questions of fact)
Who decides questions of fact in a bench trial (a trial with no jury)? - Answer -The judge
Who decides questions of fact in a jury trial? - Answer -The jury
