Final answer:
The majority of cases in the United States each year are heard in the state court systems, with each state having its own court system that includes trial and appeals courts. The federal court system, including the U.S. Supreme Court, hears a smaller number of cases. State courts handle a wide range of cases, while federal courts have jurisdiction over specific federal matters.
Step-by-step explanation:
The majority of cases in the United States each year are heard in the state court systems. Each state has its own court system, including trial courts and appeals courts. State judges have the final voice in the vast majority of cases since more fall under state, rather than federal, jurisdiction. State courts handle a wide range of cases, including traffic fines, divorce settlements, murder trials, and appeals.
While the federal court system, including the U.S. Supreme Court, tends to draw more public attention, it hears a relatively small number of cases each year. The federal system includes U.S. district courts, U.S. courts of appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court. The district courts are trial courts for federal cases, and the courts of appeals handle cases appealed from lower courts.
In summary, the majority of cases in the United States are heard in state court systems, while the federal court system handles a smaller percentage of cases and includes the U.S. Supreme Court as the highest court in the country.