American LawName______
Chapter 1
Worksheet: Court Jurisdictions
Directions: Each of the statements below describes a court case. In the space provided, identify the court (A - H) that has jurisdiction in that case. (Use your federal and state court systems notes).
A. U.S. Supreme Court
B. U.S. Court of Appeal, 9th Circuit
C. U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
D. Washington State Supreme Court
E. Washington State Court of Appeals
F. King County Superior Court
G. King County District Court and Small Claims Court
H. Seattle Municipal Court
Answer the following questions to help determine the correct jurisdiction:
1. Federal or State case? (federal or state matter? Where did the incident happen?)
2. Is the case on appeal or being tried for the first time?
a. If on appeal, what court ruled on the case previously?
b. If being tried for the first time, what court hears the case first?
i. Criminal (crime) or Civil (lawsuit) case?
1. If criminal, is it a felony, misdemeanor, or traffic violation?
2. If civil, how much is the party in the lawsuit suing for?
_____1. Kim shoots and kills her husband in Snoqualmie, Washington.
_____2. Ed's landlord refuses to return his damage deposit of $500 when Ed moves out ofhis
apartment, even though the apartment is in excellent condition. Ed wants to suehis landlord,
but doesn't want to hire a lawyer.
_____3. Ross has been convicted of aggravated 1st degree murder in King County Superior Court
for killing a police officer, and his sentence is the death penalty. He appeals his case.
_____4. Cindy is being tried for burning the American flag in front of the Post Office in Seattle.
The U.S. Attorney files charges against her.
_____5. Cindy is convicted and appeals her conviction.
_____6. Natalie appeals her conviction in King County Superior Court for murder in the 2nd
degree.
_____7. Brandon is tried for robbing a bank in Issaquah, WA.
_____8. Kellie gets a ticket for speeding 55 in a 35 mile per hour zone in the city of Seattle.
_____9. Yolanda was in a car accident in North Bend in which she injured her neck. She claims that
Steve, the driver of the other car, was at fault. She claims damages of $30,000. Steve's
insurance company refuses to pay the claim; Yolanda brings a lawsuit.
_____10. Courtney buys a new CD player for her car at Tunetown in Seattle. After she uses it
for two weeks, it breaks. Tunetown refuses to repair the player or give her a new
one. Courtney brings a case against Tunetown to recover the $500 she spent on the
CD player.
_____11. Brett was convicted of 1st degree burglary by a jury in King County Superior Court.
He appeals his conviction.
_____12. The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington rules that the state
initiative to terminate mandatory busing violates the equal protection clause in the
U.S. Constitution. The State of Washington appeals.
_____13. The U.S 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upholds the U.S. District Court's ruling that the
state initiative to terminate mandatory busing is constitutional. The state appeals.
_____14. A King County Superior Court judge rules that the state law against cross burning is
is unconstitutional. The prosecutor appeals this decision.
_____15. Jesse is arrested for the first time for driving under the influence in the city of Bellevue.