Question

read the following passage about the structure of state courts. then follow the instructions below.
while the exact organization of each states court system varies, they all share a similar structure. most cases enter a states judicial system through its lowest level in a trial court. if the losing party feels their trial was unfair or the law was not applied correctly, they can appeal their case by sending it to a higher court to reconsider.
in most states, these appeals are first heard in a middle level of intermediate appellate courts. when these courts hear a case, they do not hold a new trial, but instead review the facts from the previous trial to decide whether to affirm or reverse the lower courts decision. they can also decide to remand the case, meaning send it back to a lower court for a new trial.
the final opportunity for appeal within a states court system is with a court of last resort, called a supreme court in many places. in most states, these highest courts have the ability to choose which cases they will hear. after hearing a case, the court can affirm or reverse the lower courts decision. or, it can remand the case to either the intermediate appellate court or the trial court to be reconsidered.
here is an example of a case working its way through a states court system. place the following events in order.
earlier
the losing party still feels the decision is unfair, so they appeal to the states court of last resort.
the losing party feels their trial was unfair, so they appeal the decision.
a trial court conducts an initial trial for a case and reaches a verdict.
the court of last resort agrees the original decision was unfair and remands the case back to the trial court to conduct a new trial.
an intermediate appellate court reviews the case and decides to affirm the original decision.

Explanation:

Step1: Identify the starting point

The process begins with a trial court conducting the initial trial. So the first event is "A trial court conducts an initial trial for a case and reaches a verdict."

Step2: Next, the losing party appeals

After the trial court's verdict, if the losing party feels the trial was unfair, they appeal. So the next event is "The losing party feels their trial was unfair, so they appeal the decision."

Step3: Intermediate appellate court review

Then, the appeal goes to the intermediate appellate court. So the next event is "An intermediate appellate court reviews the case and decides to affirm the original decision."

Step4: Appeal to court of last resort

If the losing party still disagrees, they appeal to the court of last resort. So the next event is "The losing party still feels the decision is unfair, so they appeal to the state's court of last resort."

Step5: Court of last resort's action

Finally, the court of last resort acts. So the last event is "The court of last resort agrees the original decision was unfair and remands the case back to the trial court to conduct a new trial."

Answer:

1. A trial court conducts an initial trial for a case and reaches a verdict.
2. The losing party feels their trial was unfair, so they appeal the decision.
3. An intermediate appellate court reviews the case and decides to affirm the original decision.
4. The losing party still feels the decision is unfair, so they appeal to the state's court of last resort.
5. The court of last resort agrees the original decision was unfair and remands the case back to the trial court to conduct a new trial.