1. The Judicial Branch Chapter 6

2. Equal Justice for All
All legal systems follow “Equal Justice Under the Law”.
A Person is considered until proven guilty.

3. Federal Court System
The Judiciary Act help created the federal court system
3 levels of federal courts:
Supreme Court
Appeals Court
District Courts

4. Cases heard in Federal Court
Cases based on Jurisdiction
Specific Cases
Involving the Constitution
Violate federal Laws
Controversies between states
Disputes between citizens of different states.
Disputes involving the federal governments.
Involving foreign government & treaties
Based on admiralty or maritime law
Involving USA diplomats

5. USA District Courts
responsible holding trials, to determine the facts of the case.

6. USA Court of Appeals
Lawyers send when they think judge applied the law incorrectly, used wrong procedures, or if new evidence turns up.
Do not hold trials
Make decisions form in 3 ways: uphold original decision, reverse decision, or remand.
Rulings based on if defendant’s rights been protected & on whether they received a fair trial.

7. Supreme Court Job: Decide law is allowable under constitution.
Preside over trials involving diplomats & disputes between states.
Hear cases that come from the appeal of lower courts & regulatory agencies.
Decided what cases to accept

8. Power of Supreme Court All branches must follow rulings.
Follow process of judicial review was set-up by the case Marbury v. Madison, that helps makes sure laws are constitutional.
3 principles of Judicial Review
Constitution Supreme Law of land
Conflict between laws & constitution , then constitution wins.
Judicial branch must hold constitution
If laws are found unconstitutional, then it has the power to nullify them.
Interpret laws

9. Supreme Court Limitation
Depends on Executive branch to enforce laws.
Congress changes laws & adopt amendments, to get around supreme court declaring them unconstitutional.
President/ Congress appoints & impeaches.
Congress can enforce exception clause.
Court can only listen to & make rulings on cases that come to it.

10. Federal Judges
District & Court of Appeals get at least 2 judges (depends on population of area)
Supreme Court get 9 justices
Appointed by president, approved by Senate.
Appointments are for life, but can be replaced through impeachment, death, & retirement
Do this to prevent political & job status, because decisions will change society
Qualifications:
Share same ideas about politics & justice as president, usually belong to his political party
Follow senatorial courtesy

11. Supreme Court Justices
Chief:
John Roberts Jr.
Elena Kagan
Anthony Kennedy
Antonin Scalia
Sonia Sotomayor
Clarence Thomas
Ruth Ginsburg
Stephen Breyer
Samuel Alito Jr.

12. Other Court Officials
All officials are appointed by the president, & approved by the Senate
Officials
Magistrate Judges= low level judge that hears minor cases, issues court orders, & sets bail
US Attorney= lawyer that represents the federal government in trial cases.
US Marshall = federal police who makes arrest & watches over convicted criminals