The Judicial Branch

The Federal Court System has 3 Levels: District Courts (bottom) Appeals Courts (middle) US Supreme Court (top)

Two groups help each federal district: 1.U.S Attorneys ~ prosecute people accused of breaking federal laws 2.Federal Marshals ~ make arrests, collect fines, and take convicts to prison

Jurisdiction Original: Where a case is first heardOriginal: Where a case is first heard Concurrent: Two courts have jurisdictionConcurrent: Two courts have jurisdiction Appellate: When a case is ‘appealed’Appellate: When a case is ‘appealed’ Exclusive: Federal courts are the only courts that can deal with certain cases:Exclusive: Federal courts are the only courts that can deal with certain cases: –Cases involving ambassadors or a foreign official –Cases involving copyrights or patents

Federal Judges Federal judges are appointed for lifeFederal judges are appointed for life Removal of Federal judgesRemoval of Federal judges –Judges can be impeached by the Congress

How do cases proceed through the Federal Court System? Cases start in District CourtCases start in District Court Cases can be appealed to the U.S. Court of AppealsCases can be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals Last Stop: U.S. Supreme CourtLast Stop: U.S. Supreme Court

U.S. District Courts Original jurisdictionOriginal jurisdiction Judges and Juries determine whether or not a defendant is innocent or guiltyJudges and Juries determine whether or not a defendant is innocent or guilty –Innocent = Acquitted –Guilty = Convicted If either side is unsatisfied, they can appeal the decision……If either side is unsatisfied, they can appeal the decision……

The Supreme Court 9 Justices9 Justices Appointed by the President, confirmed by the SenateAppointed by the President, confirmed by the Senate For the most part, the Supreme Court only hears cases that have traveled up through the District and Appellate CourtsFor the most part, the Supreme Court only hears cases that have traveled up through the District and Appellate Courts The Supreme Court does not decide guilt or innocence. They only rule on the Constitutionality of a caseThe Supreme Court does not decide guilt or innocence. They only rule on the Constitutionality of a case

Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. Current Chief Justice Appointed by George W. Bush in 2005 He is the 17 th Chief Justice in U.S. History

Thurgood Marshall First African American justice Appointed by Lyndon Johnson in 1967 Before he was a justice, he successfully argued Brown v. Board in front of the Supreme Court 1 st African American

Sandra Day O’Connor First female Justice Appointed by Ronald Reagan in st Woman

Justice Sonia Sotomayor First Hispanic appointed to the Supreme CourtFirst Hispanic appointed to the Supreme Court Appointed by Barack Obama in 2009Appointed by Barack Obama in 2009

Supreme Court Biographies

Steps in the life of a Supreme Court Case: 1.Acceptance 2.Written Arguments 3.Oral Arguments 4.Conference 5.Opinion Writing 6.Announcement of the Decision To look at the Court’s calendar, click here. here

Types of Decisions Majority OpinionMajority Opinion Concurring OpinionConcurring Opinion Dissenting OpinionDissenting Opinion Precedence Def: A decision that came before Judges rely heavily on the idea of precedence, although they will overturn previous decisions when neededJudges rely heavily on the idea of precedence, although they will overturn previous decisions when needed Ex: Brown v. Board overturned Plessy v. FergusonEx: Brown v. Board overturned Plessy v. Ferguson