1. The Judicial Branch

3. The Judicial Branch
3 Levels of Federal Courts 1- The U.S. Supreme Court 2- The U.S. Courts of Appeals (Circuit Courts) 3- The U.S. District Court Their Objective- to settle civil and criminal disputes by making sure that the law is applied equally and justly in all cases.

4. The Judicial Branch
Jurisdiction – The Authority to hear and decide a case. Federal Jurisdiction extends across 9 categories. 1. The Constitution- If you feel your constitutional rights have been violated, you have a right to have that heard in a federal court. 2. Federal Laws- Federal courts try people accused of committing federal crimes. 3. Disputes Between States- Disagreements between states are resolved by federal courts. 4. Citizen from Different States- lawsuits between citizens of different states are heard in federal courts.

5. The Judicial Branch
Jurisdiction – The Authority to hear and decide a case. Federal Jurisdiction extends across 9 categories. 5. The Federal Government- All suits brought against the Federal Government are tried in Federal Courts. 6. Foreign Governments- Disputes between foreign governments and the U.S. are tried in federal courts. 7. Maritime Laws- Cases involving crimes and accidents outside U.S. waters. 8. U.S. Diplomats- All cases involving U.S. diplomats are tried in Federal Courts.

6. Structure U.S District Courts
CHARACTERISTICS
Every state has at least one
Has Original Jurisdiction- hears case for the 1st time
Has witnesses testify and juries to decide
***Judges & Juries Serve
Decision Type
Guilty or Not Guilty. Responsible for determining facts of the case and present a verdict of guilt

7. Structure U.S. Court of Appeals
CHARACTERISTICS
Appellate jurisdiction – reviews decisions of lower courts.
Determines if the judge followed the procedures or if new evidence presented
***Judges Only
Decision Type
Uphold or Reverse lower courts decision or send case back down to be tried again

8. Structure U.S. Supreme Court
CHARACTERISTICS
Highest court in the land
8 Associate Judges + 1 Chief Justice
Judicial Review- review federal, state, and local laws to see if they are constitutional
***Judges Only
Decision Type
Constitutional or
Unconstitutional

9. Structure U.S. Supreme Court
CHARACTERISTICS
Only hears certain cases that involves a significant question.
Mostly if it involves the Bill of Rights, other amendments, or Governmental power
Chooses cases that involve legal, not political issues that can effect the entire nation

10. Supreme Court Steps in Decision Making
1. Written Arguments: hear written arguments from each side

11. Supreme Court Steps in Decision Making
2. Oral Arguments – Lawyers present case for 30min each. Justices ask questions

12. Supreme Court Steps in Decision Making
3. Conference – judges get together in secret to discuss the verdict.
A majority of 5 justices in needed for a final verdict

13. Ruling and Opinion Writing
Majority Opinion – presents the winning views of the judges.
- Provides facts, courts reasoning, and can create a precedent for future cases
Dissenting Opinion – written argument by the minority judges who disagree with the ruling