What are the two broad categories of jurisdiction that a court can possess?

The two broad categories of jurisdiction that a court can possess are original jurisdiction and appellate jurisdiction.

Original jurisdiction refers to the authority of a court to hear a case for the first time. Courts with original jurisdiction are responsible for determining the facts of a case, applying the law, and rendering a verdict. This is typically where trials take place, and it includes most state courts and some federal courts when handling cases.

Appellate jurisdiction, on the other hand, is the authority of a court to review the decisions of lower courts. Courts with appellate jurisdiction do not conduct new trials but instead review the records from lower court proceedings to determine whether legal principles were correctly applied. Appellate courts focus on the application of law and legal procedures rather than the factual determinations made in the original trial.

Understanding these two categories is crucial because they define the scope and limits of a court’s power, influencing how cases may progress through the legal system. The discussion of other options, while they relate to different types of jurisdiction, does not capture the fundamental distinction between the authority to hear cases originally or to review decisions from lower courts.