1. I: Federal Courts A: Article III of the Constitution lays the foundation for the Judicial Branch. B: Gives jurisdiction –the authority to hear and decide cases to the Supreme Court.

2. II:Cases heard before the Supreme Court A: Cases involving the constitutionality of the laws passed by the Legislative Branch A: Cases involving the constitutionality of the laws passed by the Legislative Branch B: Federal Crimes: Kidnapping, Bank Robbery, tax evasion, counterfeiting. May hear civil cases that involve federal law. B: Federal Crimes: Kidnapping, Bank Robbery, tax evasion, counterfeiting. May hear civil cases that involve federal law. C: Disputes between states C: Disputes between states D: Citizens from different states D: Citizens from different states E: The Govt vs. a private business or a private citizen can sue the Federal govt for grievances broken E: The Govt vs. a private business or a private citizen can sue the Federal govt for grievances broken F: Foreign Govt. and Treaties F: Foreign Govt. and Treaties G: Admiralty and Maritime Law G: Admiralty and Maritime Law H: US Diplomats- Diplomats overseas who break an American law are tried in Supreme Court H: US Diplomats- Diplomats overseas who break an American law are tried in Supreme Court

3. III: Types of Jurisdiction A: Exclusive jurisdiction: Federal courts only hear cases that effect Federal Laws. They do not intercede on laws pertaining to state laws that are broken. A: Exclusive jurisdiction: Federal courts only hear cases that effect Federal Laws. They do not intercede on laws pertaining to state laws that are broken. B: Concurrent jurisdiction: Either Federal or State Courts can try the case. Some appeals can even reach the US Supreme Court. B: Concurrent jurisdiction: Either Federal or State Courts can try the case. Some appeals can even reach the US Supreme Court.

4. IV: How are the Federal Courts organized A: US District Court: Trial are held and lawsuits are tried. US District Courts have original jurisdiction meaning all federal cases start in District Court. A: US District Court: Trial are held and lawsuits are tried. US District Courts have original jurisdiction meaning all federal cases start in District Court. Witnesses testify Witnesses testify Juries decide verdict Juries decide verdict Judge passes sentence Judge passes sentence

5. Federal Courts continued B: US Court of Appeals: Reviews decisions from lower District Courts B: US Court of Appeals: Reviews decisions from lower District Courts Referred to as Appellate jurisdiction Referred to as Appellate jurisdiction Lawyers argue that rights were violated, new evidence is obtained and could impact the verdict. Lawyers argue that rights were violated, new evidence is obtained and could impact the verdict. There are 12 United States courts of appeals. Have jurisdiction over circuits (geographic areas) There are 12 United States courts of appeals. Have jurisdiction over circuits (geographic areas) Our Court of Appeals is in Washington, DC Our Court of Appeals is in Washington, DC Judges but no juries Judges but no juries

6. The US SUPREME COURT C: United State Supreme Court Highest court in the landHighest court in the land Limited original jurisdictionLimited original jurisdiction Judges hear both sides, asks constitutional questions.Judges hear both sides, asks constitutional questions. No juries or witnesses.No juries or witnesses.

7. Supreme Court 8 Justices- Head Justice is called Chief Justice 8 Justices- Head Justice is called Chief Justice Thurgood Marshall – first African American Justice- Appointed by John F. Kennedy in 1967 Thurgood Marshall – first African American Justice- Appointed by John F. Kennedy in 1967 Sandra Day O’Conner- first female Justice appointed by Ronald Reagan in 1981 Sandra Day O’Conner- first female Justice appointed by Ronald Reagan in 1981 Sonia Sotomayor- first Hispanic to serve as Justice- appointed by Barack Obama in 2010 Sonia Sotomayor- first Hispanic to serve as Justice- appointed by Barack Obama in 2010

8. Duties of the Court Hear and rule on cases Hear and rule on cases Choose cases to be heard among thousands submitted Choose cases to be heard among thousands submitted Decide cases and submit written explanation for the decision called the Court’s opinion. Decide cases and submit written explanation for the decision called the Court’s opinion. President appoints Justice President appoints Justice Vacancies open up due to the resignation or death of a justice. Vacancies open up due to the resignation or death of a justice. Most justices are lawyers but there is no legal requirement that they must be lawyers. Most justices are lawyers but there is no legal requirement that they must be lawyers.

9. Powers and Limitations Holds power of Judicial Review –check on the Legislative Branch Holds power of Judicial Review –check on the Legislative Branch Depends on Executive Branch to enforce its decisions Depends on Executive Branch to enforce its decisions Most presidents follow the court although there have been exceptions. Andrew Jackson refused to obey the John Marshall court when they ruled in favor of the Cherokee Nation in 1832. Because the public favored Jackson there was not public pressure for Jackson to uphold the Court’s decision. Most presidents follow the court although there have been exceptions. Andrew Jackson refused to obey the John Marshall court when they ruled in favor of the Cherokee Nation in 1832. Because the public favored Jackson there was not public pressure for Jackson to uphold the Court’s decision. The Legislative Branch can check the Court by passing a new law ruled unconstitutional by court or by passing an amendment to the Constitution. The Legislative Branch can check the Court by passing a new law ruled unconstitutional by court or by passing an amendment to the Constitution. Stays out of political questions-but had to decide the 2000 presidential election because of election results Stays out of political questions-but had to decide the 2000 presidential election because of election results