The justice system in the United States is one of the most unique in the world. It consists of two separate levels of courts, state and federal, that can peacefully co-exist under the concept of federalism . The type of court that a case is tried in depends on the law, state or federal, that was allegedly violated. In a criminal trial, the government is prosecuting an individual for an offense that threatens the security of individual citizens or society as a whole. Usually, criminal trials involve actions taken as a result of malicious intent, although cases of extreme negligence can also be considered criminal.
Civil trials are disputes between two parties.
Whereas trials are focused around the testimony of witnesses concerning their actions or observations, appeals feature two attorneys attempting to convince a panel of five judges that the law favors their side. If unsatisfied with the appellate court's ruling, a party can ask for a Writ of Certiorari , which is essentially an appeal to the state Supreme Court. Out of the approximately 5,000 cases each year appealed to the United States Supreme Court, it actually hears between 100-125 of them. In cases on the federal level, the action again begins at federal trial courts. Cases can be appealed from there to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, of which there are 13 throughout the country.