The Judicial Branch Lower Federal Courts

2 Basic Types –C–Constitutional Federal Courts –L–Legislative Federal Courts Constitutional Courts –F–Federal District Courts –F–Federal Courts of Appeals –U–United States Court of International Trade

Created in districts exist today Trial courts for both criminal & civil federal cases Workhorse of federal judiciary Jurisdiction –Issues of federal statutory or constitutional law –Some cases involving citizens of different states

2 Types of Juries in Criminal Cases –Grand Jury (16-23 people) Hears charges Decides if there will be a trial (indictment) or if the charges are dropped –Petit Jury or Trial Jury (6-12 people) Weigh evidence Criminal (guilt or not guilty) Civil (plaintiff or defendant)

U.S. Attorney –Prosecute criminals & represent the U.S. in civil suits U.S. Magistrate –Issue warrants & decide if a case should go to the grand jury Bankruptcy Judge –Bankruptcy cases U.S. Marshals –Makes arrests, securing jurors, & keep order Deputy clerks, bailiffs, & stenographer help the clerk

Created in 1891 Ease the workload of the Supreme Court 13 of them 12 (1 in each district) & a special one with national jurisdiction Heard by a panel of 3 judges or sometimes all of them

3 options –S–Stick with the original decision –R–Reverse the original decision –S–Send it back to have the case tried again

Used to be called the U.S. Customs Court Jurisdiction: cases dealing with tariffs Based in New York City but it’s a national court Also hear cases in port cities (New Orleans & San Francisco)