Local and state courts are part of the third branch of the government known as the judicial branch.
Courts do a lot of different things. They decide whether evidence proves someone to be guilty of violating the law. If the person is guilty, the court also decides what punishment is appropriate for the crime.
Courts operate at the federal level (the Supreme Court, Federal District Court), at the state level (State Supreme Court), and at the district and local level (District, County, and Municipal Courts.)
Question
What happens when someone breaks the government's laws? Click around the courtroom to learn about the people who are involved in state trials.
