Final answer:
Courts handle two main types of legal disputes: criminal, where the government charges an individual with a crime, and civil, involving disputes between private parties. State courts deal with a variety of cases within their jurisdiction, while federal courts hear cases involving federal law or constitutional issues. The International Court of Justice and International Criminal Court handle disputes between countries and international crimes, respectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most common kinds of legal disputes that courts handle include criminal and civil cases. Under criminal law, the government charges an individual with a crime that is either a felony or misdemeanor based on the act's seriousness. Civil cases, on the other hand, deal with disputes between private parties, with one party claiming harm or injury by the other.
State courts handle a wide variety of cases, including personal injury, malpractice, divorce, and real estate issues, while federal courts may handle cases involving bankruptcy, federal law, or disputes across state lines. Additionally, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) adjudicates disputes between countries, while the International Criminal Court (ICC) focuses on international crimes such as war crimes or genocide.
Most states have trial courts, appellate courts, and supreme courts, with the latter being the highest state-level judicial authority. Legal disputes that involve constitutional issues, such as a violation of the First Amendment, are sometimes elevated to the federal courts. For example, employment discrimination cases or those involving freedom of speech can reach federal courts if they invoke constitutional rights or federal law.