Becky Perry, age 14, of Bessemer, Ala., for her question:

CAN YOU EXPLAIN JURISDICTION?

Jurisdiction is the authority exercised by a nation, a judicial body or a legislative body over persons, places and property. In law, the term usually refers to the right of a court to hear and adjudicate legal matters.

The jurisdiction of the court may be determined according to various criteria. Subject matter is one of the most common. Courts are set up to handle specific types of cases. Criminal courts hear criminal cases.

The Supreme Court of the United States has exclusive jurisdiction over some subject matter, such as controversies amongs the states or between the.federal government and a state.

Jurisdiction may depend on venue, that specific area within a state, county or district in which a case should be tried. In the U.S. jurisdiction can also be classified as federal or state, based on the court system.

In a more general sense, jurisdiction may apply to the territory over which a nation has control including the land area, the adjacent sea and the airspace above.