Test Bank & Solution Manual
Criminal Evidence,
By Robert M. Donley
10th edition
1
,Chapter 1: The American Court System
Chapter Overview
This chapter introduces the student to the basic structure and functions of courts in the
federal and state systems. This understanding is required to provide context for the law of
evidence. The chapter begins with a general discussion of the four levels of court: minor
courts, trial courts, intermediate appellate courts, and courts of final appeal. It then focuses
on federal courts, explaining federal criminal jurisdiction and the structure of the federal
district, circuit, and supreme courts. After a brief discussion of state courts and a resource
identifying the specific courts in each state, the chapter turns to the question of how
federal and state jurisdiction interact. This discussion addresses what happens when a
single act violates both federal and state laws, crosses state lines, and violates the laws of
multiple state jurisdictions. The chapter also looks at what happens when there is a
conflict between federal and state criminal laws, and concludes with a brief discussion of
court rules and the rules of evidence.
Chapter objectives
1. Explain the general structure of state and federal court systems.
2. Identify the four main levels of courts and describe the functions of each.
3. Explain the path of appeal in the federal and state court systems
4. Distinguish between the criminal jurisdiction of federal and state court systems.
5. Describe the options open to an appellate court ruling on a trial judge’s decisions.
2
, 6. Explain the interplay between federal and state court jurisdiction.
7. Contrast the scope and purpose of federal/state and local rules of court.
8. Identify the keys subject areas of the federal rules of evidence.
Lecture outline
● Introduction
o Evidence law is procedural, not substantive
o The law of evidence only has meaning in proceedings before courts and
other tribunals
o To understand evidence law, students must understand how courts work.
● General structure of court systems
o In general
o Two main levels of courts
▪ Federal
● Federal courts are separate from but not “superior” to state
court systems
● In criminal cases, federal courts apply federal criminal law only
● Federal courts have no power over how state laws are applied
● Federal courts have final say in interpreting the u.s. constitution
● All state courts must comply with federal constitutional law
▪ State
● State courts hear cases involving violations of state criminal law
● Each state has its own criminal court system
● States hear many more criminal cases than federal courts
3
, ● Four levels of court within each system
o Minor courts
▪ Often called “magistrates” or “justices of the peace”
▪ Issue arrest and search warrants
▪ Conduct preliminary criminal proceedings
(such as preliminary arraignments)
▪ Conduct low-level criminal trials (i.e.,
summary offenses)
▪ Federal magistrates are appointed by the
president and confirmed by senate
▪ State minor court judges are usually elected by
the public
o Trial courts
▪ Conduct most criminal trials and
sentencing proceedings at federal and
state level
▪ Actively involved in pre-trial processes
▪ Make rulings on the admissibility of
evidence before trial
▪ Most criminal proceedings happen before a
trial court
o Appellate courts
4
Criminal Evidence,
By Robert M. Donley
10th edition
1
,Chapter 1: The American Court System
Chapter Overview
This chapter introduces the student to the basic structure and functions of courts in the
federal and state systems. This understanding is required to provide context for the law of
evidence. The chapter begins with a general discussion of the four levels of court: minor
courts, trial courts, intermediate appellate courts, and courts of final appeal. It then focuses
on federal courts, explaining federal criminal jurisdiction and the structure of the federal
district, circuit, and supreme courts. After a brief discussion of state courts and a resource
identifying the specific courts in each state, the chapter turns to the question of how
federal and state jurisdiction interact. This discussion addresses what happens when a
single act violates both federal and state laws, crosses state lines, and violates the laws of
multiple state jurisdictions. The chapter also looks at what happens when there is a
conflict between federal and state criminal laws, and concludes with a brief discussion of
court rules and the rules of evidence.
Chapter objectives
1. Explain the general structure of state and federal court systems.
2. Identify the four main levels of courts and describe the functions of each.
3. Explain the path of appeal in the federal and state court systems
4. Distinguish between the criminal jurisdiction of federal and state court systems.
5. Describe the options open to an appellate court ruling on a trial judge’s decisions.
2
, 6. Explain the interplay between federal and state court jurisdiction.
7. Contrast the scope and purpose of federal/state and local rules of court.
8. Identify the keys subject areas of the federal rules of evidence.
Lecture outline
● Introduction
o Evidence law is procedural, not substantive
o The law of evidence only has meaning in proceedings before courts and
other tribunals
o To understand evidence law, students must understand how courts work.
● General structure of court systems
o In general
o Two main levels of courts
▪ Federal
● Federal courts are separate from but not “superior” to state
court systems
● In criminal cases, federal courts apply federal criminal law only
● Federal courts have no power over how state laws are applied
● Federal courts have final say in interpreting the u.s. constitution
● All state courts must comply with federal constitutional law
▪ State
● State courts hear cases involving violations of state criminal law
● Each state has its own criminal court system
● States hear many more criminal cases than federal courts
3
, ● Four levels of court within each system
o Minor courts
▪ Often called “magistrates” or “justices of the peace”
▪ Issue arrest and search warrants
▪ Conduct preliminary criminal proceedings
(such as preliminary arraignments)
▪ Conduct low-level criminal trials (i.e.,
summary offenses)
▪ Federal magistrates are appointed by the
president and confirmed by senate
▪ State minor court judges are usually elected by
the public
o Trial courts
▪ Conduct most criminal trials and
sentencing proceedings at federal and
state level
▪ Actively involved in pre-trial processes
▪ Make rulings on the admissibility of
evidence before trial
▪ Most criminal proceedings happen before a
trial court
o Appellate courts
4
