1. The Judicial Branch

2. Why Lady Justice? Symbolism:  Blindfold- Justice is meted out objectively.  Scales- measure the strengths of a case.  Double edged sword- each side represents Reason and Justice.

3. The Judicial Branch Interpret the laws created by Congress or the actions of the President. Interpret the laws created by Congress or the actions of the President. Administer justice and punish offenders. Administer justice and punish offenders. Act as an arbitrator in disputes. Act as an arbitrator in disputes.

4. The Judicial Branch Two different types of cases: Two different types of cases: Criminal Criminal Civil Civil Three different levels: Three different levels: Local Local State State Federal Federal

5. Criminal Cases A District Attorney (state) or US Attorney (federal) brings criminal charges before the courts because a violation of criminal law is considered to be a offense against the community. A District Attorney (state) or US Attorney (federal) brings criminal charges before the courts because a violation of criminal law is considered to be a offense against the community. Summary, misdemeanor, and felony offenses are prosecuted. Summary, misdemeanor, and felony offenses are prosecuted. “Prosecutors” work on behalf of the “PEOPLE” “Prosecutors” work on behalf of the “PEOPLE”

6. Criminal Cases Summary offenses- usually tried without a jury and are considered to be petty offenses. Summary offenses- usually tried without a jury and are considered to be petty offenses. Violation of traffic laws Violation of traffic laws Jaywalking Jaywalking Dog licenses Dog licenses

7. Criminal Cases Misdemeanor offenses- a crime that is not a felony and is punishable by a fine and up to one year in jail Misdemeanor offenses- a crime that is not a felony and is punishable by a fine and up to one year in jail First offense of a crime may be a misdemeanor and subsequent offenses may be felonies. First offense of a crime may be a misdemeanor and subsequent offenses may be felonies. DUI DUI Drug possession Drug possession Disorderly conduct Disorderly conduct

8. Criminal Cases Felony offenses- crimes that are punishable by at least one year in prison. Offenders can lose their right to vote or hold public offices and may have to register with local police upon release from prison. Felony offenses- crimes that are punishable by at least one year in prison. Offenders can lose their right to vote or hold public offices and may have to register with local police upon release from prison. Ranked: 1st degree, 2nd degree, and 3rd degree. 1st degree being most severe. Ranked: 1st degree, 2nd degree, and 3rd degree. 1st degree being most severe.

9. Criminal Cases Examples: Examples: - Arson - ID Theft - Assault/ Battery - Insurance Fraud - Bribery - Manslaughter - Child Abuse - Murder - Domestic Violence - Perjury - Drug Offences - Rape - Embezzlement - RICO Violations - Extortion - Tax Evasion

10. Criminal Trials Process Process

11. Criminal Cases THINK… THINK…

12. Civil Cases Result from a dispute over the rights and/or duties that individuals and organizations owe to each other. Result from a dispute over the rights and/or duties that individuals and organizations owe to each other. Crime victim initiates and controls the case, not the government. Crime victim initiates and controls the case, not the government. If one is found guilty, they do not go to jail. If one is found guilty, they do not go to jail. Attorneys are not provided to the accused. Attorneys are not provided to the accused.

13. Civil Cases Unlike a criminal case where the accused must be proved to be guilty “beyond a reasonable doubt”, the accused in a civil case most only be proven to be liable for the charges by “a preponderance of the evidence” (more than 50%). Unlike a criminal case where the accused must be proved to be guilty “beyond a reasonable doubt”, the accused in a civil case most only be proven to be liable for the charges by “a preponderance of the evidence” (more than 50%).

14. Civil Cases Examples: Examples: -Accidents and Injuries: -Food poisoning-Malpractice -Slip and Fall-Workers’ -Bankruptcy -Auto Accidents -Dangerous Products -Property Rights (Real Estate/ Intellectual) -Employee Rights

15. Civil Trials Process Process

16. Civil Cases THINK… THINK…

17. Criminal & Civil Cases Sometimes the same conduct may violate both criminal and civil laws. Sometimes the same conduct may violate both criminal and civil laws. A defendant whose actions violate both criminal and civil rules may be prosecuted by the state/fed and civilly sued by the victim for monetary damages. A defendant whose actions violate both criminal and civil rules may be prosecuted by the state/fed and civilly sued by the victim for monetary damages.

18. THINK… 1995- Prosecuted for murder and found “not guilty”. 1995- Prosecuted for murder and found “not guilty”. 1997- Sued civilly for “wrongful death” by the victims’ families and was found “liable”. 1997- Sued civilly for “wrongful death” by the victims’ families and was found “liable”.

19. Criminal or Civil? 1. You are eating at the local McDonalds and get food poisoning from their French fries because of poor food handling practices?

20. Criminal or Civil? 2. You are at a concert at Post- Gazette Pavilion and are caught for underage drinking?

21. Criminal or Civil? 3. You are walking through the food court at South Hills Village and slip on a mopped floor that was not clearly marked and you hurt your back?

22. Criminal or Civil? 4. You are in the process of breaking your ex-boyfriend/ girlfriend’s car windows and their dog bites you?

23. Vocabulary Plaintiff: person who files suit Plaintiff: person who files suit Defendant: person charged with crime or against whom a civil complaint is filed Defendant: person charged with crime or against whom a civil complaint is filed Jurisdiction- the official power to try and decide a case. Jurisdiction- the official power to try and decide a case. Federal – only Fed law issues are at stake, constitutional questions Federal – only Fed law issues are at stake, constitutional questions State – only state law questions are at stake State – only state law questions are at stake Concurrent – both fed and state issues Concurrent – both fed and state issues

24. Levels of Courts / Judges Local – District Magistrates are elected Local – District Magistrates are elected State – Judges are elected in PA State – Judges are elected in PA Federal – Judges are appointed by the President, then confirmed by the US Senate Federal – Judges are appointed by the President, then confirmed by the US SenateFEDERALISM!

25. Local Courts Deal with State and Local Laws, Zoning Ordinances. Deal with State and Local Laws, Zoning Ordinances. County or Municipal level. County or Municipal level. Often overseen by District Justices/ Magistrates or Court “Masters”. Often overseen by District Justices/ Magistrates or Court “Masters”. District Justices/ Magistrates need not be lawyers District Justices/ Magistrates need not be lawyers

26. State Court Deal with Pennsylvania laws and statutes. Deal with Pennsylvania laws and statutes. Generally, elected officials. Generally, elected officials. Pennsylvania has a mandatory retirement age for judges- 70 yr old. Pennsylvania has a mandatory retirement age for judges- 70 yr old.

27. State Courts Jurisdiction: -Cases involving the state constitution -State criminal offenses -Tort and personal injury law -Contract law -Probate-Family -Sale of goods -Election issues -Traffic regulation

28. Organization of PA Courts

29. Federal Courts Two types of Federal Courts: Two types of Federal Courts: Those established by Article III of the US Constitution. Those established by Article III of the US Constitution. Those established by acts of Congress or Article I of the US Constitution. Those established by acts of Congress or Article I of the US Constitution.

30. THE U.S. COURT SYSTEM U.S. SUPREME COURT U.S. SUPREME COURT Hear appeals from U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeal and State Supreme Courts regarding federal matters Hear appeals from U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeal and State Supreme Courts regarding federal matters (discretionary appeal) (discretionary appeal) U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals 12 regional U.S. Circuit Courts 12 regional U.S. Circuit Courts 1 Federal Circuit 1 Federal Circuit Hear appeals, typically as a 3-judge panel, of U.S. District Court cases Hear appeals, typically as a 3-judge panel, of U.S. District Court cases (automatic appeal) (automatic appeal) U.S. District Courts U.S. District Courts 94 federal districts 94 federal districts act as trial courts on matters of federal law act as trial courts on matters of federal law

31. Federal Courts Special Courts established by Congress: Special Courts established by Congress: Judges are appointed by the President, approved the Senate, & usually serve for 15 years. Judges are appointed by the President, approved the Senate, & usually serve for 15 years. Magistrate courts Magistrate courts Bankruptcy courts Bankruptcy courts US Court of Military Appeals US Court of Military Appeals US Tax Court US Tax Court US Court of Veterans’ Appeals US Court of Veterans’ Appeals

32. Federal Courts Jurisdiction: - Civil cases involving citizens of different states or an amount in dispute over $75 K - Suits between states - Cases involving ambassadors and other high profile public officials - Federal Crimes - Violations of Constitutional Rights - Bankruptcy

33. Jurisdiction? 1. You are late to meet your friends at the movies and are pulled over going 84 mph on I-79? Local, State or Federal Court?

34. Jurisdiction? 2. Your rich Uncle Montgomery Brewster dies and leaves you his speed boat in Florida which you use to assist you in robbing other boats in the Caribbean? Local, State or Federal Court?

35. Jurisdiction? 3. You decide to build a wall close to the road on your property without regard to the property setback zoning law and a motorist crashes into it. Local, State or Federal Court?

36. Jurisdiction? 4. Money is tight and you and your family of nine save money by sleeping in the back of the restaurant that you own and operate on Route 19, which is commercially zoned? Local, State or Federal Court?

37. Jurisdiction? 5. After graduating from college you begin to work as a trader on Wall Street and use inside information to short sell stock and make yourself a lot of money? Local, State or Federal Court?

38. The Supreme Court

39. 9 judges, known as justices, and presided over by the Chief Justice. 9 judges, known as justices, and presided over by the Chief Justice. Parties that are not satisfied with the decision of a US Circuit Court of Appeal, US District Court, or state supreme court can petition to have their case heard. Parties that are not satisfied with the decision of a US Circuit Court of Appeal, US District Court, or state supreme court can petition to have their case heard. Hears 100 of 8,000 cases it is asked to hear each year. Hears 100 of 8,000 cases it is asked to hear each year. Has original jurisdiction in cases involving ambassadors. Has original jurisdiction in cases involving ambassadors.

41. References http://www.uscourts.gov The Constitution of the United States http://www.findlaw.com/ http://www.courts.state.pa.us http://www.fjc.gov http://www.attorneygeneral.gov