The term for the system of U.S. courts comprising both federal and state courts.

• A. Unified court system
• B. Local court network
• C. International court system
• D. Dual court system

Answer: (D)

Two parallel sets of courts operate in the United States—federal courts and state courts. This arrangement is known as the dual court system. It exists because the federal government and state governments have separate powers and laws: federal courts handle constitutional questions and federal statutes, while state courts deal with state law matters like most crimes, family law, and property disputes. Cases can sometimes involve both systems, depending on jurisdiction, such as when federal questions arise or when there is jurisdiction that can be exercised by either level.

The other terms don’t fit because they imply a single centralized system, a purely local network, or courts that govern international relations, none of which describes how the U.S. organizes its judiciary.