Final answer:
Inferior courts usually have original jurisdiction and are the first to handle various criminal and civil cases, including traffic, family, and contract disputes. They are crucial in the judicial system for handling the bulk of legal matters but do not handle cases like disputes between states or those under the exclusive jurisdiction of higher or specialized courts. Most legal disputes are adjudicated by state courts.
Step-by-step explanation:
Inferior Court Jurisdiction and Case Types
Inferior courts, often referred to as lower courts, typically have original jurisdiction, meaning they are the first to hear specific types of cases. In the federal court system, the district courts serve as an example of inferior courts with original jurisdiction, allowing them to handle cases from their inception. Inferior courts are essential to the judicial system because they handle the majority of judicial matters, ensuring the efficiency and accessibility of the legal process.
Inferior courts hear various types of cases, encompassing both criminal and civil law. These can include but are not limited to traffic violations, family law matters such as divorce and custody, contract disputes, and more serious criminal cases up to felonies. The cases they hear can ultimately be appealed to higher courts, such as federal appellate courts or state supreme courts, if applicable. This system of appeals contributes to the hierarchy within the judicial system that includes various levels of state courts and federal courts, culminating in the U.S. Supreme Court, which can hear cases on appeal with significant federal questions or those that involve constitutional matters.
The types of cases inferior courts typically do not handle include those that involve disputes between states, or those that fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of special courts or the Supreme Court, such as patent law cases, cases involving foreign treaties, and cases where a state is a party and cannot be sued without its consent, due to the 11th Amendment. Finally, it's important to note that the vast majority of legal disputes in the U.S. are handled by state courts, as they have jurisdiction over most criminal and civil matters.