Judiciary of American Samoa

High Court building in Fagatogo The High Court consists of four divisions: trial; land and titles; family, drug and alcohol; and appellate. The trial division is empowered to hear, among other things, felony cases and civil cases in which the amount in controversy exceeds $15,000 and are not related to land or matai titles. Its sessions are held before one justice and one or two associate judges. The land and titles division hears matters related to land and matai titles. The family, drug and alcohol division hears cases of juvenile offenses, family relations such as divorce, child support, paternity and adoption, domestic violence, alcohol and drug abuse. Its sessions are held before one justice and one or two associate judges. The appellate division hears appeals from the other divisions, from the District Court or of administrative decisions. District Court The District Court hears matters such as misdemeanor offenses, civil cases in which the matter in controversy does not exceed $15,000 and are not related to land or matai titles, and traffic cases not involving a felony. Its sessions are conducted by only one judge. Each village court can only hear matters regarding its village regulations. == Officers ==

Judges The Chief Justice and the Associate Justice of the High Court are appointed by the United States Secretary of the Interior and are required to be trained in the law. == References ==