2. The Judicial Branch US History: Spiconardi

4. The Supreme Court Final authority in the federal court system Comprised of 1 chief justice and 8 associate justices (originally 1 & 5) –Number can change via congressional legislation

5. The Justices Roberts, Chief Justice (R) Breyer (D) Thomas (R) Bader Ginsburg (D) Alito (R) Kennedy (R) Stevens (D) Scalia (R) Souter (D) * Appointed by President * Confirmed by Senate * Lifetime Term

6. How do cases reach the Supreme Court? Original Jurisdiction –Cases involving foreign ambassadors or disputes among states Appellate Jurisdiction –In a lower court, if the losing side believes a judge made a mistake in applying the law in a case, that case may be appealed to a higher court. vs.

7. Between 5,000 & 7,000 cases are appealed to the Supreme Court every year Only 150 are heard Clerks review cases Pass on to Justices 4 justices must agree to review the case Cases heard Mondays, Tuesdays, & Wednesdays from October to June

8. Judicial Review Role of Judicial Branch is not described in much detail in the Constitution Considered the weakest of the three branches until 1803 =

9. Judicial Review Marbury v. MadisonMarbury v. Madison –Establishes the principal of judicial review –Judicial review –Judicial review  enables the Supreme Court to determine the constitutionality of laws and strike down those that are unconstitutional

10. Federal Courts: District Courts Criminal –Federal laws only Kidnapping across state lines Drug transporting Mail fraud Tax evasion Counterfeiting $ Civil –Claims against the federal government –Constitutional rights (i.e. free speech)

11. Federal Courts: Appellate Courts Considers court decisions in which the losing side has asked for a review of the verdict –Can overturn a verdict –Order a retrial