Final answer:
A court of "first instance" is a court with the power to hear a case for the first time. Examples include U.S. District Courts, State Trial Courts, and specialized courts such as Traffic Court.
Step-by-step explanation:
A court of "first instance" refers to a court that has the authority to hear a case for the first time, also known as having original jurisdiction. These courts conduct the initial trial of a case, gather facts, and hear testimonies to make a determination based on the merits of the case. Examples of courts of first instance include:
- U.S. District Courts: These federal courts have the authority to hear cases involving federal laws, civil disputes of a certain financial threshold, and cases where the parties are from different states or countries.
- State Trial Courts: They are the first line of courts at the state level where most civil and criminal cases begin, dealing with a range of issues including traffic offenses and serious criminal charges.
- Traffic Court: A specialized trial court that deals exclusively with traffic law violations.
These courts are essential to the judicial system, establishing the facts of cases that can be later reviewed by appellate courts if an appeal is made.