The Judicial Branch

The Federal Court System  Under the Articles of Confederation, the state courts decided infractions

The Federal Court System  Under the Articles of Confederation, the state courts decided infractions –Problems:

The Federal Court System  Under the Articles of Confederation, the state courts decided infractions –Problems: States did not have same laws

The Federal Court System  Under the Articles of Confederation, the state courts decided infractions –Problems: States did not have same laws Didn’t accept the decision of other courts

The Federal Court System  The New Constitution created two federal court structures

The Federal Court System  The New Constitution created two federal court structures –Supreme Court

The Federal Court System  The New Constitution created two federal court structures –Supreme Court –Lower Federal Courts (under the power of Congress)

Lower Federal Courts (2 Types)  Constitutional Courts exercise the “judicial power of the US”

Lower Federal Courts (2 types)  Constitutional Courts exercise the “judicial power of the US” –Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, The District Courts, Court of International Trade

Lower Federal Courts (2 types)  Special Courts hear cases that arise out of expressed Congressional Powers

Lower Federal Courts (2 types)  Special Courts hear cases that arise out of expressed Congressional Powers –Tax Courts, Appeals for Military Courts, Veterans Appeals

Jurisdiction in Federal Courts  Federal Courts have jurisdiction because

Jurisdiction in Federal Courts  Federal Courts have jurisdiction because –The subject matter

Jurisdiction in Federal Courts  Federal Courts have jurisdiction because –The subject matter or the parties involved Application of constitution Matters that arise at sea US office or agency Ambassador, consul, representative of foreign gov’t State suing state, citizen of different state, suing foreign gov’t

Appointment of Judges  President nominates Supreme Court Justices, approved by the Senate

Appointment of Judges  President nominates Supreme Court Justices, approved by the Senate  President selects federal court judges with Senate approval

Appointment of Judges  President nominates Supreme Court Justices, approved by the Senate  President selects federal court judges with Senate approval –Usually selects people of same political view point

Appointment of Judges  Judges in Constitutional courts are appointed for life (can be removed through impeachment, 13x)

Appointment of Judges  Judges in Constitutional courts are appointed for life (can be removed through impeachment, 13x)  Special Court Judges are appointed to extended terms years