1. Bell Ringer What is original jurisdiction?
What is appellate jurisdiction?
Which federal courts have original jurisdiction?
Which federal courts have appellate jurisdiction?

2. Today we will … Objectives Agenda
Outline the structure of the US Federal Court System.
Identify qualifications and tenure of federal judges.
Slides/notes
Closure
How is the US judicial system organized to ensure justice? Activity
Start HW
HW: Judicial Branch in a Flash article and activities
Prom Night in Mississippi reflection due next block if you have not turned it in already!

4. Federal Court Jurisdiction
Federal Courts System
Federal Court Jurisdiction
The Constitution gave the Federal courts original jurisdiction in cases that involve United States laws, treaties with foreign nations and interstate issues.

5. Original Jurisdiction
Supreme Court
Federal District Courts
Ambassadors and other representatives of foreign governments
Two or more state’s government
United States government or one of it offices or agencies
Citizens who are resident of different states
Citizens who are residents of the same state but claim land under grants of different states

6. Check for Understanding
What is an example of original jurisdiction for the Supreme Court?
What is an example of original jurisdiction for the Federal District Courts?

7. Federal Courts System
Supreme Court
Court of Appeals
District Courts

8. Special Federal Courts
Congress has created a series of courts referred to as Legislative Courts.
Legislative courts help Congress exercise its power.
U.S. Court of Federal Claims
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
U.S. Tax Court
Territorial Courts
US Court of Military Appeals
Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court
Federal Claims Court
A person who believes that the government has not pad a bill for goods or service may sue in this court
Appeals for the Armed Forces
Armed forces highest appeals court.
“GI” supreme court
The Supreme court however has jurisdiction to review this court’s decision
U.S. Tax Court
Cases usually involve citizens who disagree with the IRS or other treasury department agencies ruling about federal taxes
Based in DC. Federal court of appeals handles cases appealed from the tax court
Territorial Courts
Congress created courts in the Virgin Islands, Guam, the northern Mariana Islands and Puerto Rico. The appellate court for this system are the United states court of appeals
Court of the district of Columbia
Because DC is a federal district Congress developed a judicial system for the nation’s capital
With federal district court and a court of appeals, various local courts handle cases in DC
Court of Veteran’s Appeals
He cabinet- level department was created to deal with veterans problems. This court handles cases arising from unsettled claims
Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court
The court was authorized to secretly wire tap people suspected of spying against the United States
FISA search warrants do not have to be made public and can be issued without probable cause- which is not the case with most criminal cases

9. Special Federal Courts
Federal Courts System
Special Federal Courts
4. U.S. Court of Federal Claims 5. U.S. Court of International Trade 6. U.S. Tax Court 7. U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces

10. Supreme Court
Court of Appeals
District Courts

11. The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
Federal Courts System
The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
National jurisdiction over certain cases, such as those in which the U.S. government is a defendant.

12. Check for Understanding
Which court in the federal system reviews the convictions of military personnel who have violated military law?
Which court hears cases that involve customs or other trade issues?

13. Qualification & Selection
Federal Judges

14. Qualifications No specific requirements in the Constitution
Federal Courts System
Qualifications
No specific requirements in the Constitution
Most have prior experience ( lower or state courts)

15. Selection of Federal Judges
Federal Courts System
Selection of Federal Judges
All federal judges are appointed by the President and approved by the Senate.
Senatorial courtesy -allows Senators from the president’s party to have a say in the appointment of judges in their state
Hold position for life (must be in good standing)
Senatorial courtesy started in the 1840’s
Once on the bench a federal judge keeps the position for a term of “good behavior”
Alexander Hamilton argued in the Federalist papers No 78 (1787), keeping judges in office for life gives them independence they need to serve as a proper check on the executive and legislative branches

17. Closure
Federal court judges in both the Supreme Court and inferior (lower) courts are appointed for life. This provision was written into the US Constitution. The Founding Fathers evidently considered it important.
Why do you think lifetime appointment for federal court judges is important? Discuss at least 2 reasons why.

18. How is the US judicial system organized to ensure justice?