1. Article III
The Judicial Branch

2. Judicial Power Power to interpret the law/ say what the law means
Vested in a Supreme Court & other federal courts created by Congress
Federal judges keep their jobs for life during good behavior
Salaries of federal judges cannot be changed while they are in office

3. Jurisdiction of Federal Courts
Constitutional issues
Federal laws
Treaties
Ambassadors & diplomats
Navy or laws of the sea
Land grants from other states
States vs. citizens of other states
Citizens of different states
Foreign citizens
U.S. government a party
States suing states

4. Treason
Fighting a war against the U.S. or offering aid or comfort to its enemies
Conviction only possible if suspect confesses in open court or two witnesses testify to the same treasonous act
Treason cannot work “corruption of blood” (punish- ment cannot continue against his children)

5. Supreme Court Highest Court in the U.S.
Final authority on what the Constitution means
Original jurisdiction (first court to hear case) only in cases of ambassadors or if a state is a party
9 total members (originally 6)
Can choose which appeals they want to hear
If they do not choose an appeal, the decision of the lower court stands

6. Lower Federal Courts

7. Circuit Courts of Appeals

8. Judicial Review Power to decide if a law violates the Constitution
Includes state laws (14th Amendment)
For example: suppose Arizona passed a law that required all school children to begin the day with a prayer. If someone sued the state, federal courts would rule that the law violated the First Amendment and was therefore null & void (no longer in effect)

9. Marbury v. Madison
Judiciary Act of 1789 gave Supreme Court a power not in the Constitution
Court declared that part of the law unconstitutional
President & Congress went along with that decision