The Federal Court System
District Courts The federal courts where trials are held and lawsuits are begun. The federal courts where trials are held and lawsuits are begun. Original Jurisdiction: hear cases for the first time Original Jurisdiction: hear cases for the first time Responsibilities: Responsibilities: Determining the facts of the case Determining the facts of the case Hold trials for civil and criminal federal cases Hold trials for civil and criminal federal cases Decide guilt or innocence Decide guilt or innocence Only courts where witnesses testify, juries hear cases, reach verdicts Only courts where witnesses testify, juries hear cases, reach verdicts
District Courts Number: Number: Each state has at least one. Each state has at least one. (Some have more.) (Some have more.) Total # of US District Courts = 94 Total # of US District Courts = 94
District Courts Hear federal criminal and civil cases. Hear federal criminal and civil cases. President appoints. Senate approves President appoints. Senate approves Salary: $162, 100 Salary: $162, 100 Length of term: LIFE Length of term: LIFE Only level that has trials Only level that has trials
District Courts Magistrate: Magistrate: Issues court orders Issues court orders Hears preliminary evidence Hears preliminary evidence Decides bail Decides bail Hears minor cases Hears minor cases US Attorney: US Attorney: Gov’t lawyers Gov’t lawyers Marshal: Marshal: Makes arrest Makes arrest Collects fines Collects fines Takes convicted people to prison Takes convicted people to prison Protects jurors Protects jurors Keeps order Keeps order Serves legal papers Serves legal papers Others: Others: Clerks, secretaries, court reporters, probation officers Clerks, secretaries, court reporters, probation officers
Appeals Courts Review decisions made in lower district courts Review decisions made in lower district courts Appellate jurisdiction: Appellate jurisdiction: Authority to hear a case appealed from a lower court Authority to hear a case appealed from a lower court
Appeals Courts Number: 12 Number: 12 Types of cases heard: Types of cases heard: Cases where an appeal was made from a decision in a district court Cases where an appeal was made from a decision in a district court Judges: in each appeals court Judges: in each appeals court Salary: $171,800 Salary: $171,800
Appeals Court Appeals courts do not hold trials. Appeals courts do not hold trials. Possible rulings: Possible rulings: Uphold the original decision Uphold the original decision Reverse/overturn Reverse/overturn Remand the case to the lower court Remand the case to the lower court
Supreme Court Decide whether laws are constitutional Decide whether laws are constitutional JUDICIAL REVIEW JUDICIAL REVIEW Highest court in the land Highest court in the land Jurisdiction: Original and Appellate Jurisdiction: Original and Appellate
Supreme Court Cases heard: Cases heard: Cases that come through appeal Cases that come through appeal Cases that deal with the Constitution Cases that deal with the Constitution 9 Justices 9 Justices 1 Chief Justice, 8 Associate Justices 1 Chief Justice, 8 Associate Justices Salary: AS - $199,200, CJ - $208, 100 Salary: AS - $199,200, CJ - $208, 100
Supreme Court POWERS: POWERS: Judicial Review Judicial Review Interpret meaning of laws Interpret meaning of laws
Supreme Court Checks on power: Checks on power: Change law to fit the Constitution Change law to fit the Constitution Change the Constitution to fit the law Change the Constitution to fit the law President appoints judges, Senate approves President appoints judges, Senate approves Congress can impeach and remove judges from office Congress can impeach and remove judges from office Can only rule in cases that come to it Can only rule in cases that come to it