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.