1. How the Federal Gov’t Works: The Judicial Branch
Part 6 – pg 136

2. Pg 136
The Constitution establishes a Supreme Court and gives Congress the power to set up any other courts as needed

3. Lower Courts Most federal cases begin in district courts
Pg 136
Lower Courts
Most federal cases begin in district courts
During the trial evidence is presented and a judge or jury decides the facts of the case
If someone disagrees with the ruling they may appeal it (ask that the decision be reviewed by a higher court)
The case then goes to the appeal court where judges decide if the lower judges had interpreted the law and applied them correctly

4. Court cases can be filed under federal or state jurisdiction
Pg 136
Court cases can be filed under federal or state jurisdiction
Jurisdiction: the power to hear and decide cases
Most cases are under state jurisdiction
May be under federal if:
The US is either suing another party or being sued by another party
The case is based on the Constitution or on a federal law
The case involves disputes between states

5. Pg 137
The Supreme Court
At the top of the American judicial system is the Supreme Court
Made up of a chief justice and 8 associate justices
The President appoints the justices, but Congress must approve of them
Justices serve until they resign, retire, or die
But they can be impeached and removed from office

6. Pg 137
The main job of the Supreme Court is to serve as the nation’s final court of appeal
Hears cases that have been tried and appealed in lower federal and state courts
They decide fewer than 100 cases a year

7. Decisions rest on a majority vote of at least 5 justices
Pg 137
Decisions rest on a majority vote of at least 5 justices
One of them then writes a majority opinion: a document that explains the constitutional reasons for the decision
Any justice who disagrees with the decision may submit a dissenting opinion: explaining his or her reasons for disagreeing with the majority opinion

8. There is no appeal court higher than the Supreme Court
Pg 137
There is no appeal court higher than the Supreme Court
However, if a case with the same issue arises they may decide to reverse their past decision

9. Pg 137
Judicial Review
The most important power of the Supreme Court is the power to decide what the Constitution means
Have the right to decide if acts of President or laws passed by Congress are unconstitutional: not allowed under the Constitution