Melissa Hinton CJUS 2050 3.

1 Forum Define the four primary types of jurisdiction: geographical, subject matter, personal, and hierarchical. 1. Geographical data jurisdiction a. Area over which courts can hear and decide disputes i. Ex: Magistrates have jurisdiction over a town or city only, whereas the Supreme Court has jurisdiction over the entire county. 2. Subject matter jurisdiction a. Types of cases courts have been authorized to hear and decide i. Ex: A state that has probate courts, involving wills and estates, says that all of those claims must be brought to a probate court. 3. Personal jurisdiction a. The power of a court over a particular person or legal entity (such as a partnership or corporation) i. Ex: A husband and wife are living in different states after a separation. The wife files for divorce, and if the man has no ties to the state she lives in, her state can make no decisions affecting the division of property, cannot demand alimony or child support, or determination of custody because they affect his rights as an individual. 4. Hierarchical jurisdiction a. Refers to differences in functions of courts and involves original as opposed to appellate jurisdiction i. If a court has original jurisdiction they have the authority to try the case and rule on it from the origin of the case. ii. If a court has appellate jurisdiction that court has the authority to review cases that have already been reviewed by other courts.