The Judicial Branch Main responsibility Systems of courts *Interpret the laws based on the Constitution*-Article III There are 2 systems of courts: Federal – disputes about laws that apply to the ENTIRE U.S. State – mostly deal with disputes about state laws WATCH GOVERNMENT MADE EASY: JUDICIAL BRANCH

Levels of Courts Members How many Key Powers U.S. District Courts (bottom of your ) District Court Judges 94 U.S. District Courts – at least 1 per state (larger states like CA *4* have more) District court=trial court Original jurisdiction – hears case for first time ONLY court where WITNESSES testify and JURIES determine verdicts (outcome of case) They hear both CIVIL (disputes among citizens) and CRIMINAL (relating to crimes committed)

Levels of Courts U.S. Court of Appeals (middle of ) Members How many Key Powers U.S. Court of Appeals (middle of ) Appeals Judges 13 total appeals courts: 12 U.S. Courts of Appeals– which cover a particular area called a “circuit” PLUS one in Washington D.C. called the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit Some people who lose their case at the district court level may appeal to the next level: court of appeals Appellate jurisdiction – power to REVIEW a decision from a lower court Looking to see if previous court made a mistake---- NOT to redetermine whether someone is guilty or innocent (was previous trial FAIR and was law interpreted correctly?) Cases heard by 3 judge panel, NO jury

Levels of Courts U.S. Supreme Court (top of your ) Members How many Key Powers U.S. Supreme Court (top of your ) 9 Supreme Court Justices (one chief justice, 8 associate justices) Appointed by Prez, approved by Senate No qualifications (no age, citizenship or residency requirements) Appointed for LIFE, no term limits ONE court (it is SUPREME, highest court in land) Sees cases with both original AND appellate jurisdiction ORIGINAL: in cases involving diplomats (representatives of other countries) or settling disputes between states APPELLATE: reviews cases that are thought to go against the Constitution (JUDICIAL REVIEW) Gets about 7,000 case requests per year, CHOOSES between 100-150 cases to actually hear