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Lower Federal Courts
Federal District Courts
• U.S. divided into 94 districts
• Each state has at least one district.
• Large states like Texas, California and N.Y. have 4 districts.
• Wash. D.C. and Puerto Rico have one district each.
These courts hear both criminal and civil cases.
– Criminal case = crime
– Civil case = law suit between two or more parties
Federal District Courts
Criminal CasesTwo Types of Juries
Grand Jury• 16-23 people• Hears charges
against a suspect• If they think a crime
was committed, they issue an indictment.
Petit Jury• 6 or 12 people• Hear and weigh
evidence in a trial.• Determines guilt or
innocence of the defendant.
Civil CasesPetit Jury• 6 or 12 people• Hear and weigh evidence in a trial.• Finds for either plaintiff or defendant
OR
One judge hears and decides
OR
Panel of 3 judges hear and decide
Federal Courts of Appeals
• 12 districts for Courts of Appeals
• 13 courts throughout U.S.
• 3 judges for each court
• Only deal with appeals
This court can:
• Uphold the original decision
• Reverse the original decision
• Send the case back to the lower court to be tried again
Federal Courts of Appeals
Other Federal Courts
• Court of International Trade
• U.S. Claims Court
• U.S. Tax Court
• Court of Military Appeals
• Territorial Courts
• Courts of the District of Columbia
• Court of Veterans’ Appeals
Selection of Federal Judges
All Federal judges are
• Nominated by the President
• Confirmed by the Senate
They serve “during good behavior”
(for life unless impeached)– This protects the judges when they
have to make unpopular decisions.– Judges are free from public or political
pressure.
• Highly respected lawyers
• Law professors
• Members of Congress
• Judges on lower courts & state courts
• Party affiliation
• Judicial philosophy
• Senatorial Courtesy
Qualifications of Federal Judges
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