Exam #1
What are the advantages of "small claims"? - ✔️✔️-Simple to file; lower filing fees
-Less formal trials
-Individuals and businesses often represent themselves w/o an attorney
-Information available online
-Evidentiary rules are typically relaxed
State Trial Courts - ✔️✔️-Some trial courts have limited or specialized subject matter
jurisdiction, e.g.,
Small Claims, Municipal, Juvenile and Probate Courts, Business Court, etc
-Trial courts with general jurisdiction may hear criminal, civil and equity matters
Superior, District, County, and Circuit Courts, etc.
Courts of "record"
General Jurisdiction - ✔️✔️courts have authority to hear civil, criminal and equity
cases.
Limited Jurisdiction - ✔️✔️courts' authority is limited by subject matter, e.g., bankruptcy
(federal), probate and juvenile courts (state) or by amount, e.g., small claims &
magistrate courts
Exclusive Federal Jurisdiction - ✔️✔️-Admiralty
-Bankruptcy
-Copyright
-Patents
-Federal Crimes
-Suits against US
-Other Specified Statutes
Exclusive State Jurisdiction - ✔️✔️-Diversity Case < $75k
-Non-diversity cases
about state law (ex: state crimes)
Concurrent Jurisdiction - ✔️✔️-Diversity Case > $75k
-All other federal law
questions
GA Superior Courts (211) - ✔️✔️Trial courts of general jurisdiction