Original jurisdiction refers to a court's power to:

Original jurisdiction refers to a court's power to:

• A. Review decisions of lower courts on appeal
• B. Interpret statutes
• C. Hear cases on appeal from other courts
• D. Hear a case for the first time

Answer: (D)

Original jurisdiction is the authority of a court to hear a case as it is filed, for the first time, rather than reviewing a decision that a lower court already issued. In the U.S. system, most cases start in trial courts and, if needed, move up on appeal. The power to review an existing decision from another court is appellate jurisdiction, not original. The statement that fits original jurisdiction is the one that describes hearing a case for the first time. The other options describe reviewing lower-court decisions or interpreting statutes, which are not about hearing a case initially.

Original jurisdiction is the authority of a court to hear a case as it is filed, for the first time, rather than reviewing a decision that a lower court already issued. In the U.S. system, most cases start in trial courts and, if needed, move up on appeal. The power to review an existing decision from another court is appellate jurisdiction, not original. The statement that fits original jurisdiction is the one that describes hearing a case for the first time. The other options describe reviewing lower-court decisions or interpreting statutes, which are not about hearing a case initially.