Resources for Teaching about State, Federal, and Tribal Court Systems
The reference staff at the Washington State Law Library has put together a list of court system resources, including research links, lesson plans, and media. The sources can be used on their own or to supplement the Judges in the Classroom Claim Your Jurisdiction lesson plan. The State Law Library provides legal research assistance by phone and email Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. Teachers and students can reach out to them with their research needs at 360–357–2136 or library.requests@courts.wa.gov.
Glossary of Terms
Definitions provided here are from the Washington State Courts English Legal Glossary. Linked definitions point to the Cornell Wex legal dictionary or WashingtonLawHelp.org.
Misdemeanor — A lesser offense than a felony and generally punishable by fine or limited jail time, but not in a penitentiary.
Felony — A crime of a more serious nature than a misdemeanor, usually punishable by imprisonment in a penitentiary for more than a year and/or substantial fines
Small claims court — A court that handles civil claims for small amounts of money. People often represent themselves rather than hire an attorney.
Prosecutor — A trial lawyer representing the government in a criminal case and the interests of the state in civil matters. In criminal cases, the prosecutor has the responsibility of deciding who and when to prosecute.
Unconstitutional — That which is contrary to or in conflict with the federal or state constitutions.
Damages — Money awarded by a court to a person injured by the unlawful act or negligence of another person.
De novo — A new. A trial de novo is a new trial of a case.
Ex parte — On behalf of only one party, without notice to any other party. For example, a request for a search warrant is an ex parte proceeding, since the person subject to the search is not notified of the proceeding and is not present at the hearing.
Sources cited in the Claim Your Jurisdiction lesson plan
Article III, section 2 of the Constitution
Equal protection clause of the United States Constitution
Americans with Disabilities Act
Immigration and Nationality Act
Websites and Articles
Comparing Federal & State Courts — U.S. Courts
State Courts vs. Federal Courts — Judicial Learning Center
The Federal Court System in the United States — Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts
Federal Judiciary Act (1789) — National Archives
Tribal Courts — Justia
[dis]Respecting the Role of Tribal Courts? — American Bar Association
Understanding Democracy: A Hip Pocket Guide: Judicial Independence, Judicial Review, Justice — Annenberg Classroom
Media
State vs. Federal Courts — Video with discussion guide — Annenberg Classroom
Comparing State and Federal Courts — Video with activities — Judicial Learning Center
Judicial Branch Video — Video — iCivics
How Do Judges Decide Cases? — Video with discussion guide — Annenberg Classroom
How a Case Gets to the Supreme Court — Podcast — Civics101
Federal Courts — Podcast — Civics101
District, Circuit, Supreme: How does the federal court system work? — Podcast — Civics101
An Introduction to Native American Tribal Court — Video — ACTEC
Lesson Plans
Will the Court Hear This Case? — American Bar Association
Understanding the Types of Cases — Judicial Learning Center
The Journey of a Court Case — Colorado Judicial Branch
The Judiciary Act of 1789 — ConSource
The Dual Court System — CUNY
Double Take: The Dual Court System — iCivics (free account required)
Trial and Appeal (Infographic) — iCivics (free account required)
The Courts in a Nutshell (Webquest) — iCivics (free account required)
Court Quest and Court Quest Extension Pack (Game) — iCivics (free account required)
Public Law 280 Curriculum (Tribal Justice Systems) — California Courts
Tribal Courts and Healing to Wellness — PBS
An Independent Judiciary: Cherokee Nation v. Georgia and Cooper v. Aaron — Annenberg Classroom
Judicial Independence: Essential, Limited, Controversial — Annenberg Classroom
A Conversation on the Nature, Origin and Importance of the Supreme Court — Annenberg Classroom
The Supreme Court | Define and Classify the Powers Associated with Federalism — PBS
Analyzing McCulloch v. Maryland — PBS
