1. THE
JUDICIAL
BRANCH
The Federal Court System
established in Article III
2.
3. The Federal Court system
is established in the
Constitution
The jurisdiction,
or authority to
hear and decide
a case, is also
established
(III, 2, 1)
4. The Federal
Courts have
jurisdiction over
the following areas
the Constitution
federal laws
law of the high seas
disputes involving the U.S. Government
disputes between states, or citizens of different states
disputes involving foreign governments
EVERYTHING ELSE GOESTO THE STATE
AND LOCAL COURTS
7. District Courts
• federal courts where lawsuits are begun
• at least 1 per state
• district courts handle most of the Federal
Court System's work (90%)
• district courts have original jurisdiction:
the authority to hear cases the first time
8.
9. Courts of Appeals
(Circuit courts)
• these courts only hear
cases that are appealed
from lower courts
• appellate jurisdiction
10.
11. Additional courts
Military courts
Territorial courts
US Tax Court
Claims courts
13. The Supreme Court
rarely has original
jurisdiction - almost all of
the cases that come to
the Supreme Court are
from appeals
14. The Justices
9 Justices, including a Chief Justice
appointed by the President, they hold their terms
until they die, resign, or are impeached
very powerful, very prestigious
15. The Supreme Court has the power of
judicial review
this allows the Court to
review any law and
decide if it is
unconstitutional
From Marbury v.
Madison, 1803
but only if the law comes
to the Court in a case
16. The Supreme
Court is the
final authority
on the
Constitution
and the laws of
the United
States.
17. How can a
Supreme Court
decision be
overturned?
A new decision
by the Court
A constitutional
amendment