1. The Judicial Branch
Ch. 18

2. A Dual Court System There are two separate court systems in the U.S.
National (Federal)
*spans the country with its more than 120 courts
State
*each of the 50 States has its own system of courts
*most of the cases are heard on a State (District) level

3. Two Kinds of Federal (National) Courts
The Constitution creates the Supreme Court and leaves to Congress the creation of the inferior courts- the lower federal courts, those beneath the Supreme Court So what are those two kinds of Federal Courts?

4. 1. Constitutional Courts
These courts exercise the broad “judicial power of the U.S.” as stated in Article III

5. The Special Courts have narrowly defined powers
These are the Special Courts

6. Of these two Federal Courts, which one do you think hear most of the cases tried in the federal courts?
RIGHT! The Constitutional Courts. They have jurisdiction over most federal cases
Definition of jurisdiction
The authority of a court to hear (to try and to decide) a case

7. So what kind of cases come under Federal jurisdiction?
Article III, Section 2, Clause 1 (eagerly check that out!)
1. The subject matter of the case
2. The parties involved in the case

8. Vocab to make you sound even more brilliant!!
Original jurisdiction
Def.- A court in which a case is first heard
Appellate jurisdiction
Def.- A court that hears a case on appeal from a lower court
FYI: In the federal court system, the district courts have only original jurisdiction, and the courts of appeals have only appellate jurisdiction. The SC exercises both.

9. A couple more vocabulary words (can’t get enough, can you?)
Plaintiff
Def.- The person who files suit
Defendant
Def.- The person whom the complaint is against V.

10. Bring on the Judge! Appointment of judges Terms and pay of judges
Article II, Section II, Clause 2
The President is free to name to the federal bench anyone the Senate will confirm
Terms and pay of judges
Article III, Section I… “The Judges…”
The judges of the constitutional courts are appointed for life
Article III, Section 1… “Shall, at stated Times…”
Congress sets the salaries of all federal judges

11. Court Officers
Clerks
U.S. magistrates
U.S. attorney
U.S. Marshall

12. The Inferior Courts COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT COURTS
50 States divided into 89 federal judicial districts
At least two judges are assigned to each district
Cases tried in the district courts are most often heard by a single judge
Certain cases may be heard by a three-judge panel
District courts have original jurisdiction over most cases
COURT OF APPEALS
Created as “gatekeepers” to relieve the SC of much of the burden
Docket- list of cases to be heard
Now there are 12 courts of appeals in the judicial system

14. Court of Appeals (cont)
179 circuit judges
Justice of the Supreme court is assigned
Courts of appeals usually sits in panels of three judges
55,000 cases/year
Final, unless the SC chooses to hear appeals

15. The U.S. Supreme Court

16. Laid to rest

17. Samuel Anthony Alito, Jr.
JUSTICE:
DATE APPOINTED:
APPOINTED BY:
AT AGE :
Chief Justice
John G. Roberts
2005
G.W. Bush 50
Antonin Scalia
1986
Reagan
Anthony M. Kennedy
1988 52
Clarence Thomas
1991
Bush 43
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
1993
Clinton 60
Stephen G. Breyer
1994 56
Samuel Anthony Alito, Jr.
2006
Sonia Sotomayor
2009
Obama 55
Elena Kagan
2010

18. Judicial Review
Def.- The power to decide the constitutionality of an act of government
Both Federal and State courts exercise this power
The ultimate exercise of that power rests with the Supreme Court
Marbury v. Madison

19. Jurisdiction
The Supreme Court has both original and appellate jurisdiction
Most cases come on appeal—from the lower federal courts and from the highest State courts

20. Last slide…last ppt. in Mrs. Golledge’s Government B class
Last slide…last ppt. in Mrs. Golledge’s Government B class. Admit it…you’re a little sad.
Writ of certiorari
Def.- an order by the Court directing a lower court to send up the record
Briefs
Def.- written documents filed with the Court
Majority Opinion
Def.- Court’s opinion
Dissenting Opinion
Def.- those justices who do not agree with the Court’s majority decision