Which types of courts are included in each court system?

The selection of all types of courts—trial courts, appellate courts, and supreme courts—accurately reflects the structure of each court system.

Trial courts serve as the initial venue for legal proceedings, where cases are heard, evidence is presented, and rulings are made based on the facts and law. They are fundamental to the judicial process as they set the stage for how cases are resolved at the initial level.

Appellate courts are designed to handle appeals from the decisions made by trial courts. These courts review the application of law to ensure that legal procedures were followed and that the law was applied correctly. They hold the important role of maintaining the integrity and consistency of the legal system by providing a check on trial court decisions.

Supreme courts are typically the highest courts in a court system. They have the authority to make final decisions on legal issues, often addressing important questions of law or deciding cases that have significant legal implications. Their rulings set precedents that lower courts must follow.

Including all three types of courts acknowledges the comprehensive nature of the judicial hierarchy, where each court plays a unique and essential role in the legal process. Understanding this structure is crucial for grasping how the legal system operates and how cases progress through different levels of court.