Some states have specific courts that solely address family law cases. In other states, some circuit courts address family law and other types of cases. This varies dramatically from state to state. New York has a New York City Family Court, which has jurisdiction over cases involving abused or neglected children, adoption, custody and visitation, domestic violence, foster care approval and review, guardianship, juvenile delinquency, paternity, persons in need of supervision, and support. See http://www .nycourts.gov/courts/nyc/family/index.shtml.

Hawaii adopted family courts by statute in 1965. Delaware had its first statewide family court in 1971. The movement is on the rise for the creation of more family courts. Maine had its first family court in 1998. The North Carolina Legislature created some family courts in 1999.

• What is the relationship between state high courts and state constitutions?
• Are all state court systems based on the three-tiered model of trial court, intermediate appellate court, and final appellate court?
• Do all state high courts have the same number of justices or judges?
• Are all state high courts called supreme courts?
• Which states do not have elections for any type of judges?
• How are state court judges picked?
• How are state court systems established?
• Do courts always follow their past decisions?
• Is there a difference between mandatory authority and persuasive authority?
• What opinions have precedential value?
• If the majority opinion becomes the law of the land, are concurring and dissenting opinions important?
• What is the work product of judges and courts?
• Are there other federal courts that are not Article III courts?
• What does the Federal Magistrates Act do?
• When can a federal judge become a senior judge?
• What Is the main difference between a federal district court and the other federal courts?
• How many different districts are there?
• Who was the most famous federal appeals court judge to never make it to the U.S. Supreme Court?
• Who are some of the nation’s leading federal appeals court judges?
• Has there been recent movement in Congress to change the circuit court structure?