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Overview of the Federal Court System For use with Sections 8.1&8.2
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THE FEDERAL COURTSFor Use with Chapter 8.1 & 8.2
Justice
Role of the Courts courts use the law to settle civil disputes to help ensure that equal opportunities are
available to all people courts use the law to decide the guilt or
innocence of people accused of crimes
Justice
What Happens both sides come to the court and present their
position the court applies the law to the facts that
have been presented and makes a decision in favor of one or the other
Overview of a Criminal Trial each side presents witnesses witnesses present evidence a jury or judge delivers the verdict
Justice
Equal Treatment “Justice is Blind”
the goal of the legal system is to treat every person the same regardless of who they are
every person has the right to have a public trial with a lawyer
the accused who cannot afford their own lawyer will have one appointed
defendants are innocent until proven guilty
Justice
Equal Treatment is Difficult to Achieve Although “Justice is Blind” the people involved
in the justice system are not judges and juries are not free from personal
prejudices wealth determines the quality of lawyer a
defendant can afford
Federal Courts
“The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish.”
US Constitution, Article III, section 1
Federal Courts
Judiciary Act of 1789 created federal district courts and circuit
courts
Judiciary Act of 1891 Congress establishes the system of federal
appeals courts
Federal Courts
Federal Courts
Jurisdiction1. The Constitution
a person who believes a Constitutional Right has been violated can be heard in federal court
2. Federal Laws
people accused of federal crimes are tired in federal courts also civil cases involving federal laws
3. Disputes Between States
disputes between two state governments Supreme Court has original jurisdiction
4. Citizens from Different States
two people from different states have a lawsuit
Federal Courts
Jurisdiction5. The Federal Government
if the federal government is part of a lawsuit if the federal government takes a person or company to
court
6. Foreign Governments, Ambassadors, and Treaties
Supreme Court has original jurisdiction
7. Admiralty and Maritime Laws
any crimes or incidents that take place on the high seas / international waters involving a US vessel
8. US Diplomats
Federal Courts
Types of Jurisdiction1. Exclusive Jurisdiction
only the federal courts may hear the case
2. Concurrent Jurisdiction
the case can take place in either the state or the federal
Federal Courts
US Courts of Appeals also called federal appeals courts, circuit courts
of appeals, circuit courts, appellate courts have appellate jurisdiction do NOT conduct trials each has from 6 to 28 judges (based on how
busy it historically has been) review procedure from a case in federal district
court may review actions of federal regulatory
agencies
Federal Courts
Organization of US Courts of Appeals there are a total of 13 federal appeals courts
12 circuit courts that hear appeals from their geographic area (or circuit)
1 Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit located in Washington, DC that hears special cases that cover the entire nation
Federal Courts
Decisions of the US Courts of Appeals the goal is to make sure that a defendant
received a fair trial after reviewing the procedure of a case
appealed to it, appeals courts may:
a) uphold the lower court’s decisionb) reverse the lower court’s decisionc) remand the case back to the district court (often
times with changes that need to be made)
Federal Courts
Decisions of the US Courts of Appeals opinion is the official decision of the appeals
court it sets out how the court feels about the way
the lower court handled the case any rulings it makes in the opinion becomes
precedent
Federal Courts
Precedent the Supreme Court and appellate courts can not
seek out an issue and have both sides bring it to court, it must wait for people themselves to take someone to court over the issue
precedents are not new laws but help clarify existing laws
Common Law decisions from higher courts must be followed by
lower courts an opinion by the Supreme Court must be
followed by everyone
Federal Courts
US District Courts federal trial courts federal lawsuits begin here have original jurisdiction there are 94 US District Courts conduct trials complete with witnesses and
evidence, and a jury that gives a verdict every state has at least one federal district
court
Federal Courts
Federal Judges president appoints, Senate approves typically, the president chooses someone with
the same ideas about politics, justice and issues
Life Tenure: federal judges may have their job for life, unless removed by the impeachment/removal process
the goal have life tenure is to put judges above politics, instead of having to please voters with their ideas they can best serve the Constitution
Federal Courts
Magistrates issue search and arrest warrants hear preliminary evidence to determine if a
case should be brought to trial determine bail may hear minor cases
Federal Courts
US Attorneys a lawyer for the US government they have at least one deputy prosecute criminals represents the US government in lawsuits (appointed to 4-year term by the president
with Senate approval)
Federal Courts
US Marshals federal police officer make arrests collect fines escort convicts to prison protect jurors keep order in federal courts serve legal papers (such as subpoenas)
Summ
ary
ORGANIZATIONOF FEDERAL
COURTS
The US Supreme Court
12 US Courts of Appeals
94 US District Courts
1 Court of Appeals for the Federal
Circuit
The US Supreme Court
12 US Courts of Appeals
94 US District Courts
1 Court of Appeals for the Federal
Circuit
94 US District Courts
Original Jurisdiction Conducts trials Witnesses testify Evidence is presented Juries hear cases and reach
verdicts
12 US Courts of Appeals
94 US District Courts
12 US Courts of Appeals
Appellate Jurisdiction Can review a case if an individual who loses a case
in district court believes the laws were applied unfairly
Does not determine guilt or innocence
Writes opinions detailing the reasons for their decision – establishes precedent
Three options:1. Uphold the district court’s decision2. Reverse the district court’s decision3. Remand the case
The US Supreme Court
12 US Courts of Appeals
94 US District Courts
1 Court of Appeals for the Federal
Circuit
1 Court of Appeals for the Federal
Circuit
National Jurisdiction Can hear special cases
of national importance