- determining the guilt or
innocence of persons accused of breaking the law;
- resolving disputes
involving civil or personal rights;
- interpreting
constitutional provisions of laws enacted by the legislature and
deciding what is to be the law of the state when none exists for
certain situations. The court decision then becomes a precedent to
be applied in like situations unless later overruled or modified by
the Supreme Court or the General Assembly; and,
- determining whether a law
violates the Constitution of either the State of Connecticut or the
United States.
Separation of Powers
Under our constitution,
the courts are one of three branches of government.
-
The
Legislative Branch (the
Senate and House of Representatives) is responsible for creating new
laws.
-
The
Executive Branch (the Governor and
executive branch agencies) is responsible for enforcing them.
-
The
Judicial Branch
(the courts) is responsible for interpreting and upholding
our laws.
Relationship of Connecticut Courts to Federal Courts
In Connecticut, as
throughout the United States, there are two judicial systems. One is the
state system, established under the authority of the state constitution;
the other is the federal system, established under the United States
Constitution. Connecticut courts are courts of general jurisdiction.
These courts handle most criminal matters and a variety of civil
matters, including contracts, personal injury cases, dissolution of
marriage and other legal controversies. In some instances, decisions of
state courts may be appealed to the United States Supreme Court if a
question of federal constitutional law arises.
Federal courts have jurisdiction over matters involving federal law, and
over the following matters: cases brought by the United States, cases
between two states or the citizens of two different states, cases
between a state and a foreign state or its citizens, admiralty and
maritime cases, and cases affecting ambassadors and other diplomatic
personnel.
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