Прочитайте и переведите текст. No two state court systems are exactly alike

No two state court systems are exactly alike. Nevertheless, there are suf-ficient similarities to provide an example of what a typical state court system looks like. Most state court systems are made up of two sets of trial courts: trial courts of limited jurisdiction (probate, family, traffic, etc.) and trial courts of general jurisdiction; intermediate appellate courts and the highest state courts.

Unlike federal judges, most state court judges are not appointed for life but are either elected or appointed for a certain number of years.

Trial Courts of Limited Jurisdiction

Trial courts of limited jurisdiction are courts that deal with only specific types of cases. They are usually presided over by a single judge. Some examples of trial courts of limited jurisdiction include:

3. Probate court: This court considers cases concerning administration of estates. It sees to it that the provisions of a will are carried out properly or sees to it that a decedent’s property is distributed according to the state law.

4. Family court: This court hears cases concerning adoption, divorce, alimony, child custody etc.

5. Traffic court: This court usually considers minor violations of traffic

laws.

6. Juvenile court: This court usually deals with cases involving delinquent, unruly or neglected children and adults who neglect, abuse or contribute to the juvenile delinquency.

5. Small claims court: This court usually resolves suits between private persons of a relatively low dollar amount, for example, less than $5,000.

6. Municipal court: This court usually considers cases involving offenses against city ordinances.

Trial Courts of General Jurisdiction

Trial courts of general jurisdiction bear the main burden in the administration of justice. They hear cases outside the jurisdiction of the trial courts of limited jurisdiction. These involve both civil and criminal cases. One judge (often sitting with a jury) usually hears them. In such cases, the judge decides issues of law, while the jury decides issues of fact.

Intermediate Appellate Courts

Many, but not all, states have intermediate appellate courts between the trial courts of general jurisdiction and the highest court in the state. Any party, except in a case where a defendant in a criminal trial has been found not guilty, who is not satisfied with the judgment of a state trial court may appeal the matter to an appropriate intermediate appellate court. These courts usually sit in panels of two or three judges and review cases appealed from trial courts to determine if the law was correctly interpreted and applied.

Highest State Courts

All states have some sort of highest court. While they are usually referred to as supreme courts, some, such as the highest court in Maryland, are known as courts of appeal. In states with intermediate appellate courts, the highest state courts usually have discretionary review as to whether to accept a case. In states without intermediate appellate courts, appeals may usually be taken to the highest state court as a matter of right. In addition, many state supreme courts have original jurisdiction in certain matters. For example, the highest courts in several states have original jurisdiction over controversies regarding elections and the reapportionment of legislative districts.

Ответьте на вопросы по тексту.

1. What cases do trial courts of limited jurisdiction deal with?

2. What jurisdiction does the Probate court have?

3. What cases does the Family court examine?

4. What is the jurisdiction of the Traffic court?

5. What cases does the Juvenile court consider?

6. What cases does the Small claims court hear?

7. What cases does the Municipal court deal with?

8. What is the jurisdiction of trial courts of general jurisdiction?

9. What is the role of intermediate appellate courts?

10. What is the jurisdiction of highest state courts?