( H O F F M A N ’ S FAVO R I T E ! )

CH. 16 FEDERAL COURTS

INTRO TO COURTS

• Standing to sue: Gives you a reason to take someone to court.• Must have a serious interest in a case/directly involved

• Also must be of justiciable disputes• Issues that can be settled by legal methods.• Not trivial

• Amicus curiae: “friends of the court” additional perspectives for the court to consider• Outside of plaintiff and defendant

IDENTIFY!

• Hoffman v. Luna• Who’s the defendant? Who’s the Plaintiff

• Issue: On Nov. 1 2013 Jarrett Luna assaulted 3 month old Jebediah Hoffman at 2am with his shoe.• Who has the standing to sue? Why?

• Is this a justiciable suit?• Why or why not?

HOW DO I GET TO THE SUPREME COURT?

• Original Jurisdiction: Where a court case begins• Determines the nature of the case.• 90% of cases begin and end here

• Appellate Jurisdiction: hear cases brought to them on appeals.• Only legal issues, not case specifics.

• Appeals typically end at the US State Supreme Courts.

DISTRICT COURTS

• 91 federal district courts• The only fed. Court to use juries

• Hear the following cases:• Federal crimes• Civil suits under federal law• Supervision of bankruptcy proceedings• Supervisions and naturalization of aliens

WANT TO SUE A STATE?!

• Sure can!

• Diversity of citizenship• A case where citizens of one state, can file suit against

different states.• Cases of matters over $75,000

• US Attorney: nominated by the President to prosecute violation of federal law.• All 91 courts have one

APPEAL TO A HIGHER POWER…

• Review all final decisions of the district courts

• Also enforces decisions of federal regulatory commissions

• 12 judicial circuits• Serves at least two states• 6-28 judges• “en banc” all judges present