1. The Judicial Branch Main responsibility Systems of courts
*Interpret the laws based on the Constitution*-Article III
There are 2 systems of courts:
Federal – disputes about laws that apply to the ENTIRE U.S.
State – mostly deal with disputes about state laws
WATCH GOVERNMENT MADE EASY: JUDICIAL BRANCH

2. Levels of Courts Members How many Key Powers
U.S. District Courts (bottom of your )
District Court Judges
94 U.S. District Courts – at least 1 per state (larger states like CA *4* have more)
District court=trial court
Original jurisdiction – hears case for first time
ONLY court where WITNESSES testify and JURIES determine verdicts (outcome of case)
They hear both CIVIL (disputes among citizens) and CRIMINAL (relating to crimes committed)

3. Levels of Courts U.S. Court of Appeals (middle of ) Members How many
Key Powers
U.S. Court of Appeals (middle of )
Appeals Judges
13 total appeals courts:
12 U.S. Courts of Appeals– which cover a particular area called a “circuit”
PLUS one in Washington D.C. called the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
Some people who lose their case at the district court level may appeal to the next level: court of appeals
Appellate jurisdiction – power to REVIEW a decision from a lower court
Looking to see if previous court made a mistake---- NOT to redetermine whether someone is guilty or innocent (was previous trial FAIR and was law interpreted correctly?)
Cases heard by 3 judge panel, NO jury

4. Levels of Courts U.S. Supreme Court (top of your ) Members How many
Key Powers
U.S. Supreme Court (top of your )
9 Supreme Court Justices (one chief justice, 8 associate justices)
Appointed by Prez, approved by Senate
No qualifications (no age, citizenship or residency requirements)
Appointed for LIFE, no term limits
ONE court (it is SUPREME, highest court in land)
Sees cases with both original AND appellate jurisdiction
ORIGINAL: in cases involving diplomats (representatives of other countries) or settling disputes between states
APPELLATE: reviews cases that are thought to go against the Constitution (JUDICIAL REVIEW)
Gets about 7,000 case requests per year, CHOOSES between cases to actually hear