1. Unit 6: The Federal Court System and Supreme Court Decision-Making Federal Court System

2. Federal Court System: Main Idea: Introduction to Federal Court System Notes: The Constitution established the Supreme Court as the highest Federal Court. The Constitution established the Supreme Court as the highest Federal Court. Congress has the power to create lower federal courts to help deal with the increasing number of federal cases. Congress has the power to create lower federal courts to help deal with the increasing number of federal cases. There are 2 basic types of federal courts: There are 2 basic types of federal courts: 1.Constitutional Federal Courts 2. Legislative Federal Courts

3. Federal Court System: Main Idea: Constitutional Federal Courts Notes: Courts established by the legislative branch are called Constitutional Federal Courts. Courts established by the legislative branch are called Constitutional Federal Courts. These courts include: These courts include: 1.Federal District Courts 2.Federal Courts of Appeals 3.The U.S. Court of International Trade

4. Federal Court System: Main Idea: Federal District Courts Notes: Congress created district courts in 1789 to serve as trial courts Congress created district courts in 1789 to serve as trial courts Today, there are 94 district courts (at least 1 for every state) and more than 550 district court judges. Today, there are 94 district courts (at least 1 for every state) and more than 550 district court judges.

5. Federal Court System: Main Idea: Federal District Courts (cont’d.) Notes: U.S. district courts are trial courts for civil and criminal cases. U.S. district courts are trial courts for civil and criminal cases. District courts use 2 types of juries: District courts use 2 types of juries: 1.Grand Jury (16-23 people that determine if there is enough evidence for a trial—may issue an indictment, or formal accusation charging a person with a crime) 2.Petit Jury (6-12 person trial jury)

6. Federal Court System: Main Idea: Federal Courts of Appeals Notes: Congress created the U.S. courts of appeals in 1891 in order to hear appeals from lower courts, before they reach the U.S. Supreme Court. Congress created the U.S. courts of appeals in 1891 in order to hear appeals from lower courts, before they reach the U.S. Supreme Court. There are 13 U.S. courts of appeals dividend among 12 circuits. There are 13 U.S. courts of appeals dividend among 12 circuits. Usually a panel of 3 judges sit on each appeal. Usually a panel of 3 judges sit on each appeal.

7. Federal Court System: Main Idea: Federal Courts of Appeals (cont’d.) Notes: Courts decide an appeal in 3 possible ways: Courts decide an appeal in 3 possible ways: 1.Uphold the original decision 2.Reverse that decision 3.Send a case back to a lower court to be tried again Unless you appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, the decisions of the U.S. courts of appeals are final. Unless you appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, the decisions of the U.S. courts of appeals are final.

8. Federal Court System: Main Idea: The Court of International Trade Notes: This court has jurisdiction over cases involving tariffs. This court has jurisdiction over cases involving tariffs. If you believe a tariff is too high, you may appeal to the Court of International Trade. If you believe a tariff is too high, you may appeal to the Court of International Trade.

9. Federal Court System: Main Idea: Legislative Courts Notes: Legislative Courts help Congress exercise its power. Legislative Courts help Congress exercise its power. There are 7 basic types of Legislative Courts: There are 7 basic types of Legislative Courts: 1.U.S. Court of Federal Claims 2.U.S. Tax Court 3.U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces 4.Territorial Courts 5.Court of the District of Columbia 6.The Court of Veterans’ Appeals 7.Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court