1. Interpreting: explaining the meaning
What if we didn’t have someone or a group of people interpreting the laws passed by Congress?
*four things that could happen or what it could result in*
Interpreting: explaining the meaning

2. The Role of the Federal Court:
Courts make up the judiciary, or the judicial branch of government
This branch has two jobs: ensure the laws are fairly enforced and interpret the laws

3. Types of Cases Criminal Court Cases: Civil Court Cases:
People are accused of a crime and appear for a trial
Witnesses give evidence
Jury or judge decide guilty or innocent
Civil Court Cases:
Occur between parties who feel their rights have been harmed

4. There are three kinds of civil disputes: Between two private parties, between a private party and the government, and between the U.S. government and a state or local government or between state governments

5. Origins of the Federal Court System:
From 1781 to 1789, the United States was governed by the Articles of Confederation
Under the articles, there was no national court system. Each state had its own laws and courts
How did the framers solve this problem?
They created a federal judiciary
Which Article in the Constitution established a national Supreme Court?
Article III

6. The Judiciary Act of 1789 What did it establish?
Two types of lower courts
Who do the district courts serve and what kind of cases?
Trial courts who handle minor civil and criminal cases
What cases do Circuit courts handle?
Heard appeals from the district courts

7. In 1891, Congress took trial responsibility from the circuit courts, making them exclusively courts of appeal
The 94 district courts at the lower level are trial courts
The 13 circuit courts in the middle are appeals courts
The Supreme Court, court of final appeal, is at the top

9. The Dual Court System The United States has a dual court system
Define dual court system: a court system made up of both federal and state courts
Each state has its own laws and courts

10. The Dual Court System
The state courts get their powers from state constitutions and state laws
Federal courts get their powers from laws passed by Congress

11. Federal Courts Levels: three levels, trial, appeals, Supreme
Where does it get its powers from? U.S. Constitutional and federal laws
What type of cases does it hear? Federal law cases
How long are judges appointed for? For life

12. State Courts Levels: three levels: trial, appeals, and supreme
Where does it get its powers from? State constitution and state laws
What type of cases does it hear? Cases involving state laws
How long are judges appointed for? Most are elected for a set term

13. How do federal courts and state courts differ?

14. Goal of Court System
The words “Equal Justice Under Law” are written on the building that houses the United States Supreme Court
Our legal system is based on this ideal
The goal of the legal system is to treat every person the same

15. Goal of court system cont
Under the Constitution, what rights does an individual have?
Right to a public trial and a lawyer
The court will pay for the services if they cannot afford it
Innocent until proven guilty
courts can review their case and see if law has been applied correctly

16. What are some reasons why the idea of equal justice may be hard to achieve?
Judges and juries are not free from prejudice
Poor people do not have the money to spend on good lawyers

17. Federal Court Jurisdiction
Article III of the Constitution gives federal courts jurisdiction only in certain kinds of cases
Placing limits on these courts prevents them from interfering with state courts
Federal cases must involve the Constitution, federal law, or the federal government. These courts also handle cases that involve different states or people from different states. Federal courts handle cases that involve some special areas of law as well

18. The Constitution and Federal Law
When can a person sue in federal court?
 if they think their constitutional right has been violated
What are examples of actions Congress has passed as federal crimes?
Kidnapping, tax evasion, counterfeiting

19. Disputes between States or Parties from Different States
_______disputes____between state governments are taken to federal court
Lawsuits between citizens who live where fall under the federal courts?
In different states

20. Admiralty and Maritime Laws
Admiralty and maritime laws deal with what kinds of issues?
Crimes, accidents, and property at sea

21. The Federal Government
Explain the types of cases that fall into this category..
When the government is part of a legal dispute

22. Types of Jurisdiction Exclusive Jurisdiction:
 authority of only federal courts to hear and decide cases
Concurrent Jurisdiction:
Authority of both state and federal courts to hear and decide cases