Chapter 8 Sect 2 Mr. Gordon
Federal District Courts The 94 federal court districts handle more than 300,000 cases per year.
Federal District Courts The Jurisdiction of District Courts Constitution mandates cases involving foreign governments, residents of different states be handled in district court Federal violations: from violation of employment laws to handled in district courts Panels of citizens called grand juries hear evidence in serious criminal cases. District courts have separate bankruptcy court
Federal District Courts Court Officials Judge is court’s highest official; judges instruct juries about law, make sure proper trial procedures are followed Magistrate judges oversee early hearings in criminal trials, also hear civil cases or minor criminal cases called misdemeanours Clerks of the court handle non-judicial tasks, maintaining records
Federal District Courts {continued} Other Courtroom Officials Each federal court district has a U.S. attorney to represent the U.S. government. U.S. attorneys prosecute individuals charged with federal crimes. Public defenders are lawyers appointed by court to represent defendants who lack money to hire their own. U.S. marshals provide security and police protection at federal courthouses.
Federal Courts of Appeals Purpose of the Courts of Appeals Appeals courts: middle tier in hierarchy of federal court system Hear cases on appeal from district courts within their circuit Few appeals succeed
Federal Courts of Appeals Appeals Court Procedure Most appeals heard by panel of judges, reviews court record and reads briefs; appeals courts rely on facts of original case, do not retry Burden of proof lies with appellant; cases mostly overturned only when improper procedure was followed
Federal Courts of Appeals Appeals Court Ruling Court’s ruling usually stands; occasionally reviewed by larger panel of judges or returned to district court for more hearings
Federal Courts of Appeals The Federal Circuit Court of Appeals for Federal Circuit has nationwide appellate jurisdiction: cases dealing with patents, trademarks, government contracts, international trade
Sequencing What is the path by which a case travels through a court of appeals? The appellant shows that the original ruling was based on a legal mistake. A panel of judges reviews the trial court record and reads briefs submitted by both sides and may hear oral arguments. The government’s side is then presented. The court makes its ruling, which is usually the final word. The case may be sent back to district court, or it may undergo review by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Other Federal Courts U.S. Court of International Trade Hears cases involving laws and rules of international trade
Other Federal Courts U.S. Tax Court Hears cases involving federal tax disputes
Other Federal Courts U.S. Court of Federal Claims Hears cases involving disputes over veterans’ benefits
Other Federal Courts The Federal Circuit Hears cases involving claims over $10,000 owed by U.S. government. United States has sovereign immunity In some circumstances the government can be sued
Other Federal Courts {continued} U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces Hears cases involving appeals from courts-martial, or military courts National Security Courts Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court reviews requests to spy on “agents of a foreign power” in U.S. Alien Terrorist Removal Court reviews requests to remove suspected terrorists from U.S.
Other Federal Courts {continued} Military Commissions Outside normal judicial system, rulings may be challenged in federal court Washington, D.C., and Territorial Courts Congress created trial and appellate courts in locations outside federal system