1. The Federal Court System
Chapter 18
The Federal Court System

2. Chapter 18 Section 1
Federal Court Intro

3. Federal Court Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction is defined as the authority of a court to hear (to try and to decide) a case
Article III, Section 2 of the Constitution provides that the federal courts may hear a case because either:
(1) the subject matter or
(2) the parties involved in the case.
Chapter 18, Section 1

4. Types of Jurisdiction Exclusive and Concurrent Jurisdiction
Exclusive jurisdiction- case can ONLY be heard at either federal or state level
Concurrent jurisdiction – case can be heard at EITHER state or federal level
Original and Appellate Jurisdiction
Original jurisdiction – case is heard for the first time
Appellate jurisdiction – case is heard on appeal from a lower court – review that no mistake was made
The Supreme Court exercises both original and appellate jurisdiction
Chapter 18, Section 1

5. Constitutional Courts
Chapter 18 Section 2
Constitutional Courts

6. S E C T I O N 2 Constitutional Courts
Lower federal constitutional courts beneath Supreme Court
U.S. District Courts – hears most fed. cases
Court of Appeals
Court of International Trade
Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
Chapter 18, Section 2

7. Federal District Courts
94 Federal District Courts through U.S.
632 Judges serve in these courts
Basic trial court for the Federal court system
Original jurisdiction only
Hears both:
Criminal cases
Prosecution v. Defendant
Beyond a reasonable doubt
Civil cases
Plaintiff v. Defendant
Preponderance of evidence
Chapter 18, Section 2

8. The Courts of Appeals “Gatekeeper” to Supreme Court
Appellate Court Judges
179 circuit judges sit in the 12 appeals courts
3 judge panels
Supreme Court justice is assigned to each of circuit
Appellate Court Jurisdiction
Appellate jurisdiction only
Chapter 18, Section 2

10. How Federal Cases Are Appealed
Chapter 18, Section 2

11. Chapter 18 Section 3
Supreme Court

12. Supreme Court Jurisdiction
ONLY court with original & appellate jurisdiction
Original jurisdiction over some cases with two or more States and all cases brought against ambassadors or other public ministers – 1 or 2 per year
Most cases heard are on appeals
Chapter 18, Section 3

13. How Cases Reach the Supreme Court
RULE OF FOUR
Writ of Certiorari
Order to a lower court to send a record in a given case for its review
Most common route
Certificate
Lower court asks for the Court to certify the answer to a specific question in the matter
Chapter 18, Section 3

14. How the Supreme Court Operates
Court in Conference
Chief Justice presides over a closed-door conference in which justices present their views on the case at hand
Briefs
Written documents filed with the Court before oral arguments begin
Amicus Curiae – 3rd party briefs
Oral Arguments
Once the Supreme Court accepts a case, it sets a date on which lawyers on both sides will present oral arguments
Chapter 18, Section 3

15. Opinions of the Court
Once the Court finishes its conference, it reaches a decision and its opinion is written.
Judicial opinion agreed to by more than half of the members of a court. It sets forth the decision of the court and an explanation of the rationale behind the court's decision.
Precedent is a principle or rule established in a previous legal case that is either binding for a court when deciding later cases with similar issues or facts.
Written opinion by one or more judges who agrees with the decision made by the majority of the court, but states different reasons as the basis for his or her decision.
Opinion written by one or more judges expressing disagreement with the majority. Can be used in the future to make agreements to change.
Chapter 18, Section 3

16. Chapter 18 Section 4
Special Courts

17. Types of Federal Courts
1. Constitutional Courts
Supreme Court, District Courts
Broad jurisdiction
2. Special Courts
Created to hear certain types of cases
Narrow jurisdiction

18. U.S. Federal Claims Court
Hears all civil suits against U.S.
16 judges have 15 year terms
Congress must approve money before a claim can be paid

19. United States Tax Court
Est. in 1969
19 judges serve 15 year terms
Civil cases over tax law, not criminal
Most cases come from IRS or Treasury Dept.

20. Court of Appeals for Veteran Claims
Created in 1988, newest court
7 judges serve 15 years
Hears appeals from the Board of Vet. Appeals in Dept of Vet. Affairs

21. Courts to choose from U.S. Supreme Court U.S. Court of Appeals
Federal District Court
Special Courts (Choose one)
Federal Claims Court
Tax Court
Court of Appeals for Veteran Claims
State Courts (Choose one)
State Supreme Court
State Appeals Court
State Trial Court