1. Federal Courts

2. The American Court Structure  Dual court system: 1. set of state and local courts 2. Federal courts Judiciary Act of 1789 established this.

3. Jurisdiction  A court has limited territory and has types of cases they listen to.

4. Federal Court System Supreme Court Federal Court Of Appeals US District Court

5. US District Courts  General trials court  Federal criminal cases involve: Bank robbery Counterfeiting Mail fraud Kidnapping Civil rights abuses Constitutional issues State vs. state Treaties Maritime issues Foreign gov’t

6. Court of Appeals  Review cases in the lower courts Check to see if there are errors. 3 judges sit in panel

7. Supreme Court  Highest court in the land.  The court may hear cases: Appealed from federal courts of appeal. Appealed directly from federal district courts. Appealed from the high court of a state, if claims under federal law or the Constitution are involved.

8. Supreme Court  Has 9 judges that serve for life  Chief Justice: John Roberts  All are appointed by the president. Senate has to approve.

9. Supreme Court  To have a case heard here, at least 4 judges must vote yes.

10. Current Federal Judges  John Roberts, Chief Justice  Antonin Scalia, Associate Justice  Anthony Kennedy, Associate Justice  Clarence Thomas, Associate Justice  Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Associate Justice  Steven Breyer, Associate Justice  Samuel Anthony Alito, Jr., Associate Justice  Sonia Sotomayor, Associate Justice  Elena Kagan, Associate Justice  Sandra Day O’Connor, Associate Justice (retired - inactive)  David Souter, Associate Justice (retired - inactive)  John Paul Stevens, Associate Justice (retired - inactive)

11. Precedent  A ruling that sets guidelines for future similar cases.

12. Supreme Court Powers  JUDICIAL REVIEW!!! Power to overturn any Act of Congress or executive action the Court deems unconstitutional The court case that establish this was called Marbury vs. Madison