Judicial Branch

The Judicial Branch consists of the Supreme Court and the federal judges The Judicial Branch consists of the Supreme Court and the federal judges Local courts are part of the state Judicial Branch Local courts are part of the state Judicial Branch Settle legal conflicts in both civil and criminal cases Settle legal conflicts in both civil and criminal cases Apply the law to an actual situation Apply the law to an actual situation

Judicial Branch There are many different parts to a court There are many different parts to a court Plaintiff Plaintiff An individual or a group of people who bring a complaint against another party An individual or a group of people who bring a complaint against another party Defendant Defendant The party who answers a complaint and defends itself The party who answers a complaint and defends itself Prosecution Prosecution A government body that brings a criminal charge against a defendant accused of breaking a law A government body that brings a criminal charge against a defendant accused of breaking a law

Judicial Branch Judge Judge Directs the proceedings of a court case Directs the proceedings of a court case Must stay neutral Must stay neutral Jury Jury Decides the facts of a case Decides the facts of a case What happened and who did it What happened and who did it Decides if defendant is not guilty or guilty Decides if defendant is not guilty or guilty In cases not involving a jury, a judge decides who is right or wrong In cases not involving a jury, a judge decides who is right or wrong

Judicial Branch Court cases usually start at the state level Court cases usually start at the state level Original jurisdiction- the authority to hear a case first Original jurisdiction- the authority to hear a case first If the plaintiff or defendant feel the court’s decision was unjust, they can appeal. If the plaintiff or defendant feel the court’s decision was unjust, they can appeal. The case then goes to an appellate court (appeals court) The case then goes to an appellate court (appeals court) This court then has appellate jurisdiction This court then has appellate jurisdiction

Judicial Branch Appeals court Appeals court They do not hold a trial They do not hold a trial Review the legal issues involved Review the legal issues involved Determine if trial was fair Determine if trial was fair Either uphold or overturn the original court’s decision Either uphold or overturn the original court’s decision Orders another trial Orders another trial

Assignment Create a comic strip that describes the whole court procedure. Create a comic strip that describes the whole court procedure. Start with the crime being committed and end with a verdict Start with the crime being committed and end with a verdict Include the different parts of the court Include the different parts of the court Include at least one appeal Include at least one appeal Must be 6 slides Must be 6 slides color color