Chapter 7The Judicial Branch

Section 1:Equal Justice Under the LawSection 2:The Federal Court System

Section 3:The Supreme Court

The Main IdeaThe rights of all U.S. citizens are protected by laws

and the courts.

Reading Focus• In what ways is the United States a nation of laws?• What are the four sources of law in the United

States?• What roles do the courts play in the United States?

Section 1:Section 1: Equal Justice Under the LawEqual Justice Under the Law

Majority rule affects the making of laws.

• Laws usually reflect the opinion of the opinion of the majority.majority.

• Laws are passed for the good of all good of all citizens.citizens.

• Good citizenshipGood citizenship involves abiding by the laws.

• Without laws, anarchyanarchy could develop.

Section 1:Section 1: Equal Justice Under the LawEqual Justice Under the Law

Four types of U.S. laws:

• Statutory lawStatutory law —passed by lawmaking bodies• Common lawCommon law —judges’ decisions based on

common sense, experience, and practice• Administrative lawAdministrative law —created by government

agencies• Constitutional lawConstitutional law —based on the Constitution

and its interpretation by the Court

Section 1:Section 1: Equal Justice Under the LawEqual Justice Under the Law

Role of the Courts in the United States

• Use law to settle disputessettle disputes• Assure equal justice for all through fair fair

trialstrials

Section 1:Section 1: Equal Justice Under the LawEqual Justice Under the Law

ensure equal justice for all

provide fair public trials

SECTION 1

The Roles that Courts Play

Question: What roles do the courts play in the United States?

The Main IdeaThe federal court system consists of the three levels

of courts, each of which has specific duties.

Reading Focus• What is the purpose of the U.S. district courts?• How are the U.S. courts of appeals different from

the district courts?• What is the role of the Supreme Court?

Section 2:Section 2: The Federal Court SystemThe Federal Court System

Federal Court System- :54

Cases tried in the federal courts:

• Cases involving people charged with people charged with disobeying the Constitutiondisobeying the Constitution, violating a U.S. treaty, or breaking laws passed by Congress

• Charges brought by a foreign country foreign country against the United States or its citizensagainst the United States or its citizens

• Crimes committed on U.S. ships at seaU.S. ships at sea

Section 2:Section 2: The Federal Court SystemThe Federal Court System

Cases tried in the federal courts: (continued)

• Ambassadors and consulsAmbassadors and consuls charged with breaking laws in a foreign country

• Crimes committed on certain federal federal propertiesproperties

• Disagreements between the statesDisagreements between the states• Lawsuits between citizens of different Lawsuits between citizens of different

statesstates

Section 2:Section 2: The Federal Court SystemThe Federal Court System

Organization of Federal Courts

• Ninety-four district courtsNinety-four district courts —at base of system; jury trials held here

• Courts of AppealCourts of Appeal —review district court cases; 1212 courts of appeal cover circuits; panels of judges make the decisions

• U.S. Supreme CourtU.S. Supreme Court —highest court in the land; an appeals court; decisions are final

Section 2:Section 2: The Federal Court SystemThe Federal Court System

Role of the Supreme Court

• Reviews cases from lower federal courtsReviews cases from lower federal courts and state courts

• Constitutional jurisdictionConstitutional jurisdiction over:– cases involving diplomatic representatives from

other countries– disputes between states– disputes between states and federal government

Section 2:Section 2: The Federal Court SystemThe Federal Court System

Question: Which cases are tried in federal courts?

SECTION 2

Federal Court Cases1. constitutional violations2. U.S. treaty violations

3. congressional law violations4. cases between a foreign government and a U.S. citizen or the

government

5. crimes committed on U.S. ships at sea6. cases involving U.S. ambassadors and consuls who broke laws in

their stationed countries

7. crimes committed on certain types of federal property8. disagreements between states or citizens of different states

The Main IdeaThe Supreme Court hears appeals, reviews laws,

and strongly influences American society.

Reading Focus• What is the power of the judicial review?• What are the constitutional checks on the

Supreme Court’s powers?• How has the Supreme Court strengthened

constitutional rights?

Section 3:Section 3: The Supreme CourtThe Supreme Court

Process through which cases are tried in the Supreme Court:

• Thousands of cases are appealed to the Court each year.

• One hundred to 200 cases are selectedOne hundred to 200 cases are selected for the docket.

• Selected cases contain significant public interest or significant public interest or questions.questions.

• Four out of nine justicesFour out of nine justices must vote to hear a case.• Previous verdicts stand for rejectedrejected cases.

Section 3:Section 3: The Supreme CourtThe Supreme Court

Supreme Court Justices- 1:35

Supreme Court justices

• Are appointed by the president and appointed by the president and approved by a Senate majority voteapproved by a Senate majority vote.

• Are appointed for lifefor life but may be impeachedimpeached.

Section 3:Section 3: The Supreme CourtThe Supreme Court

Principle of Judicial Review- 1:44

Judicial review has strengthened the Court’s power.

• Courts decide if a law or presidential law or presidential action is constitutionalaction is constitutional.

• Supreme Court has the ultimate power ultimate power of judicial review.of judicial review.

Section 3:Section 3: The Supreme CourtThe Supreme Court

Congress can limit the Court’s power.

• Can rewrite lawsrewrite laws to make them constitutional

• Can amendamend the Constitution to include new laws

Section 3:Section 3: The Supreme CourtThe Supreme Court

Question: How has judicial review strengthened the Supreme Court’s power, and how does Congress limit this power?

SECTION 3

Judicial Review

Congress

Limit

Strengthen

It asserted the Court’s power to declare laws of

Congress and presidential acts unconstitutional.

Congress may pass a similar law abiding by

the Constitution or may try to amend the

Constitution.

Dred Scot Decision- 2:47

Brown v. Board of Education- 1:29

Miranda v. Arizona- 1:30

2000 Presidential Election- 1:30

Chapter 7 Wrap-Up

1. Describe the types of laws that exist in the United States.

2. What services do U.S. courts provide?3. Which cases are tried in federal courts?4. How is the federal court system organized?5. How are appointments made to the Supreme

Court, and how long do justices serve?6. How does the Supreme Court limit Congress’s

power, and how does Congress reassert it?