1. Unit 6, Lesson 1 The Federal Court System
Agenda:
1. Go over Judicial branch packet
2. Lesson 1 notes
3. “Appellate Courts
In a Flash” hw packet
Outcome: Students will
be able to explain the phrase “Equal
Justice under the Law” and will know
which types of cases that the Federal
Courts have jurisdiction over.

2. Opener “Do you ever have one of those days when everything seems
unconstitutional?”

3. Equal Justice Under the Law
“Equal Justice Under the Law” is on the outside of the Supreme Court
Federal Courts make up the third branch of the U.S. government
Courts use the law to settle disputes and to decide on the guilt or innocence of people accused of crimes
The United States Supreme Court is at the top of the federal court system
Our legal system is based on the ideal of “Equal Justice Under the Law”

4. Constitution
The federal court system is located in Article III of the Constitution
Constitution only established the Supreme Court
Congress is given the power to create lower federal courts
Today the federal court system has three levels: district courts at the bottom, appeals courts in the middle, and the Supreme Court at the top
The federal court system exists along side 50 state court systems

5. Cases Heard in Federal Courts
Jurisdiction: the court’s authority to hear and decide cases
1: Cases involving the Constitution: if the law in question deals with the U.S. Constitution
2: Violations of Federal Law: if a person commits a federal crime such as tax evasion they go to trial in federal court
3: Controversies Between States: disagreements between state governments are resolved in federal court
Legal disputes between States are settled in federal court

6. Cases Heard in Federal Courts
4: Disputes Between Parties from Different States: Suits between people from different states are heard in federal court
5: Suits Involving the Federal Government: when the fed. Govt. sues someone or someone sues the fed. govt.; examples?
6: Cases Involving Foreign Govts. and Treaties: any dispute between a foreign govt. and either the U.S. govt. or an American private party

7. Cases Heard in Federal Courts
7: Cases Based on Admiralty and Maritime Laws: laws concerning accidents or crimes on the high seas; treasure recovery?
8: Cases Involving U.S. diplomat: if an American diplomat working in the U.S. embassy is accused of breaking an American law
Captain Jack would be tried in Federal Court

8. Relation to State Courts
Lady of Justice; Symbols?
For most of these areas federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction; only these courts can hear and decide those cases
State courts have jurisdiction over all other matters
Concurrent jurisdiction: Either court may try crimes that violate both state and federal law

9. Work on “Appellate Courts” homework packet 