The Role of the Federal Courts Ch. 10 Sec. 1 Pp. 266-270

Laws and Courts Judicial branch = Supreme Court and over 100 other federal courts Least influenced by public opinion

What Courts Do Interpret and apply the law Criminal – guilt or innocence and punishment Prosecutor brings case Civil – settle a disagreement Plaintiff brings case, defendant answers case Federal courts hear civil and criminal cases

What Courts Do Judge applies the law Jury decides the facts of the case

State Courts and Federal Courts Most cases begin at state level Jurisdiction – who gets to hear case first You can appeal decision to a higher court Appeals court reviews legal issues and makes a decision

Questions What makes up the judicial branch of the federal government? the Supreme Court and the federal courts judges and state legislatures the President and his staff Congress

Questions How can a precedent help a judge make a decision? The judge may find an earlier case similar to the current case A judge may use a precedent to question people not part of the case. A judge may use a precedent to discuss a current political issue The judge may use a precedent to keep secrets from lawyers

Questions Who is the defendant in this case: The People of the State of Florida v. Jones? The People the government The State of Florida Jones

Questions Both sides in a court case are called the Parties Prosecutions Plaintiffs judges.

Questions Who can decide the facts in a case? the accused the jury the conflict the lawyers

Questions What is true about federal courts? There can be no appeal from a federal court A federal court may hear a civil or a criminal case Each community has its own federal court The only federal court is the U.S. Supreme Court