Answer:
- The Federal Courts and the State Courts are two separate court systems in the United States. The Federal Courts are established by the U.S. Constitution to deal with cases involving federal law or the Constitution, disputes between citizens of different states, and cases involving the federal government. The State Courts, on the other hand, are established by each state to handle cases that involve state law, such as criminal cases, civil disputes, and family law matters.
- If a Kentuckian sued a citizen of West Virginia, the case could be heard in either the Federal Courts or the State Courts, depending on the circumstances. If the case involves a federal law, such as a violation of a federal statute or a constitutional issue, the case would be heard in a Federal Court. If the case involves only state law, the case could be heard in the State Courts of either Kentucky or West Virginia, depending on the location of the defendant and other factors.
2.
The court system that handles traffic violations and local crimes is generally the State Courts, specifically the lower courts like municipal courts, magistrate courts, or traffic courts.
3.
Criminal law encompasses cases involving crimes such as murder, assault, theft, and other offenses against the state. These cases are decided by either a judge or a jury in a criminal trial, and if the defendant is found guilty, the sentencing can include imprisonment, fines, or other penalties.
4.
Civil law encompasses cases involving disputes between individuals or entities, such as contract disputes, personal injury claims, or property disputes. These cases are decided by a judge or a jury in a civil trial, and if the defendant is found liable, the court may order them to pay damages or take other corrective action.
5.
The Juvenile Court System is different from the normal courts in that it is specifically designed to handle cases involving minors under the age of 18. The focus of the Juvenile Court System is to rehabilitate the juvenile offender and provide them with the resources they need to turn their life around. The cases in Juvenile Court are decided by a judge, and the sentencing can include community service, counseling, or other rehabilitative measures. The Juvenile Court System also aims to keep the proceedings confidential to protect the privacy of the minor involved.