Article IIIArticle III Judicial Branch Judicial BranchInterpret the LawInterpret the Law

Article IIIArticle III

The power of the Judicial Branch shall be vested to the Supreme Court.In 1789, Congress passed the 11th amendment, creating a system of federal courts below

the Supreme Court.

Each state has at least one Federal Court.If someone wants to challenge the District Court ruling, they can turn to one ofthe thirteen appellate courts before they approach the Supreme Court.

Supreme Court Justices are appointed for life and can only be removed by theirdeath, resignation, retirement, impeachable behavior.

The goal of life appointments is to free Justices to make their bestdecisions, without worrying that they might be punished fortheir rulings..

The salary of a judge shall never be reduced while they are in office.

Article IIIArticle IIIJudicial PowersJudicial Powers

-Have original jurisdiction or authority, to hear cases that involve the-Have original jurisdiction or authority, to hear cases that involve the

Constitution, federal laws, or any agreement made by the federal Constitution, federal laws, or any agreement made by the federal government such as a treaty.government such as a treaty.

The Supreme Court also hear cases that involve disagreement or disputes The Supreme Court also hear cases that involve disagreement or disputes between states.between states.

Lawsuits brought by citizens or states against another country are also Lawsuits brought by citizens or states against another country are also heard by the Supreme Court.heard by the Supreme Court.

Current Supreme Court JusticesCurrent Supreme Court Justices

Stephen BreyerStephen Breyer

Ruth GinsburgRuth Ginsburg

David SouterDavid Souter

Samuel AlitoSamuel Alito

Antonin ScaliaAntonin Scalia

John Paul StevensJohn Paul Stevens

Clarence Clarence ThomasThomas

Anthony Anthony KennedyKennedy

Chief Justice: John RobertsChief Justice: John Roberts

Middle PictureMiddle Picture

Article IIIArticle III

Chief JusticeChief JusticeThe The Chief Justice Chief Justice is the head judge of the Supreme Court.is the head judge of the Supreme Court.The Supreme Court only has The Supreme Court only has original jurisdiction original jurisdiction for casesfor casesinvolving ambassadors or disputes between states.involving ambassadors or disputes between states.

Appellate CourtsAppellate CourtsMost Supreme Court cases involve the appeal of decisions made by the lowecourts. Most Supreme Court cases involve the appeal of decisions made by the lowecourts.

((Appellate CourtsAppellate Courts))

Judicial ReviewJudicial ReviewIn reviewing decisions the Supreme Court uses a process called In reviewing decisions the Supreme Court uses a process called Judicial ReviewJudicial Review..

Judicial Review allows federal courts to decide whether court decisions , and more Judicial Review allows federal courts to decide whether court decisions , and more importantly, laws are keeping with the basic intent of the Constitution. importantly, laws are keeping with the basic intent of the Constitution.

Any person accused of a crime must be offered a Any person accused of a crime must be offered a Trial by JuryTrial by Jury..

TreasonTreason

Treason

Treason is defined as the making of war against the United States orTreason is defined as the making of war against the United States orhelping its enemies.helping its enemies.

In order to be convicted of treason one In order to be convicted of treason one must confess or two people must testify must confess or two people must testify that they witnessed the act being committed.that they witnessed the act being committed.

Punishment of Treason

Congress decides the punishment for treasonCongress decides the punishment for treason

Punishing family members and future generations for one person’s treason isPunishing family members and future generations for one person’s treason iscalled called Corruption of Blood and is illegal under the Constitution. and is illegal under the Constitution.

Judicial Branch Judicial Branch VocabularyVocabulary

Writ of Habeus Corpus - If arrested, a person must be made aware of - If arrested, a person must be made aware of what the charges are or set free.what the charges are or set free.

Double Jeopardy - A person who is found innocent in a court trial cannot - A person who is found innocent in a court trial cannot

be tried for the same exact crime againbe tried for the same exact crime againBail - is the money or property given to the court to secure the releaseis the money or property given to the court to secure the release of an accused person until the time of the trial.of an accused person until the time of the trial.

Bill of Attainder- Convicted without a trial. Bills of attainder makes sure that each case is documented within the court.

Ex Post Facto - A person may not be charged with a crime if committed when the crime is no longer a crime.

Original Jurisdiction – Supreme Court may here the case directly without – Supreme Court may here the case directly without going through the appeals processgoing through the appeals process

VocabularyVocabulary

Petit Jury - Made up of twelve citizens who listen to criminal or civil case.- Made up of twelve citizens who listen to criminal or civil case.

Probable Cause - Requires sufficient reason for police to believe that - Requires sufficient reason for police to believe that someone may have committed a crime.someone may have committed a crime.

Capital Crime - Is a crime where the death penalty may be given.- Is a crime where the death penalty may be given.

Appeal -To take a case to a higher court for review, usually done by the To take a case to a higher court for review, usually done by the losers in a trial is called an appeal.losers in a trial is called an appeal.