1. UNIT #4
The Judicial Branch
CHAPTER #11
The Federal Court System
LESSON #2
Judicial Jurisdiction and Power

2. -Federal court cases may be civil, criminal or constitutional
UNIT #4
The Judicial Branch
CHAPTER #11
The Federal Court System
LESSON #2
Judicial Jurisdiction and Power
Federal Courts
-Federal courts, like other courts, apply the law to cases that come before them
-Federal court cases may be civil, criminal or constitutional
-Federal court jurisdiction (hearing only certain types of cases) is limited though
-The 94 federal district courts have original jurisdiction--they are the first court to hear a case
-The 12 federal courts of appeal have appellate jurisdiction—they only hear requests to have a higher court reverse the decision of a lower court
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3. Study the Chart on page 212! UNIT #4 The Judicial Branch CHAPTER #11
The Federal Court System
LESSON #2
Judicial Jurisdiction and Power
Study the Chart on page 212!
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4. Study the Map on page 207! UNIT #4 The Judicial Branch CHAPTER #11
The Federal Court System
LESSON #2
Judicial Jurisdiction and Power
Study the Map on page 207!
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5. -The Supreme Court (S.C.) has both original and appellate jurisdiction
UNIT #4
The Judicial Branch
CHAPTER #11
The Federal Court System
LESSON #2
Judicial Jurisdiction and Power
The U.S. Supreme Court
-The Supreme Court (S.C.) has both original and appellate jurisdiction
-The S.C.’s original jurisdiction is quite limited
-The S.C.’s main work is hearing appeals from lower federal courts of appeal
-The S.C. can also hear cases appealed from state supreme courts
-Those cases must have directly to do with the Constitution or federal law
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6. The Powers of the Federal Courts
UNIT #4
The Judicial Branch
CHAPTER #11
The Federal Court System
LESSON #2
Judicial Jurisdiction and Power
The Powers of the Federal Courts
-The Constitution left the S.C.’s powers quite vague
-The Judiciary Act of 1789 was passed to clarify the federal court system, it:
Spell out specific powers of the federal court system
Created lower federal courts
Gave the S.C. the power to review state constitutions and laws as well as declare them unconstitutional
-Marbury v. Madison establish the idea of judicial review, or the S.C. reviewing acts of Congress
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