The Federal The Federal Court SystemCourt System

District CourtsDistrict Courts The federal courts where trials are held The federal courts where trials are held

and lawsuits are begun.and lawsuits are begun.

Original Jurisdiction: hear cases for the first Original Jurisdiction: hear cases for the first timetime

Responsibilities:Responsibilities: Determining the facts of the caseDetermining the facts of the case Hold trials for civil and criminal federal casesHold trials for civil and criminal federal cases Decide guilt or innocenceDecide guilt or innocence Only courts where witnesses testify, juries hear Only courts where witnesses testify, juries hear

cases, reach verdictscases, reach verdicts

District CourtsDistrict Courts

Number:Number: Each state has at least one. Each state has at least one.

(Some have more.)(Some have more.)

Total # of US District Courts = 94Total # of US District Courts = 94

District CourtsDistrict Courts

Hear federal criminal and civil cases.Hear federal criminal and civil cases.

President appoints. Senate approvesPresident appoints. Senate approves

Salary: $162, 100Salary: $162, 100 Length of term: LIFELength of term: LIFE

Only level that has trialsOnly level that has trials

District CourtsDistrict Courts Magistrate:Magistrate:

Issues court ordersIssues court orders Hears preliminary Hears preliminary

evidenceevidence Decides bailDecides bail Hears minor casesHears minor cases

US Attorney:US Attorney: Gov’t lawyersGov’t lawyers

Marshal:Marshal: Makes arrestMakes arrest Collects finesCollects fines Takes convicted Takes convicted

people to prisonpeople to prison Protects jurorsProtects jurors Keeps orderKeeps order Serves legal papersServes legal papers

Others:Others: Clerks, secretaries, court Clerks, secretaries, court

reporters, probation officersreporters, probation officers

Appeals CourtsAppeals Courts

Review decisions made in lower Review decisions made in lower district courtsdistrict courts

Appellate jurisdiction:Appellate jurisdiction: Authority to hear a case appealed from Authority to hear a case appealed from

a lower courta lower court

Appeals CourtsAppeals Courts

Number: 12 Number: 12

Types of cases heard:Types of cases heard: Cases where an appeal was made from Cases where an appeal was made from

a decision in a district courta decision in a district court

Judges: 6 -27 in each appeals courtJudges: 6 -27 in each appeals court Salary: $171,800Salary: $171,800

Appeals CourtAppeals Court

Appeals courts do not hold trials.Appeals courts do not hold trials.

Possible rulings:Possible rulings: Uphold the original decisionUphold the original decision Reverse/overturnReverse/overturn Remand the case to the lower courtRemand the case to the lower court

Supreme CourtSupreme Court

Decide whether laws are Decide whether laws are constitutionalconstitutional JUDICIAL REVIEWJUDICIAL REVIEW

Highest court in the landHighest court in the land

Jurisdiction: Original and AppellateJurisdiction: Original and Appellate

Supreme CourtSupreme Court

Cases heard:Cases heard: Cases that come through appealCases that come through appeal Cases that deal with the ConstitutionCases that deal with the Constitution

9 Justices 9 Justices 1 Chief Justice, 8 Associate Justices1 Chief Justice, 8 Associate Justices

Salary: AS - $199,200 , CJ - $208, 100Salary: AS - $199,200 , CJ - $208, 100

Supreme CourtSupreme Court

POWERS:POWERS: Judicial ReviewJudicial Review Interpret meaning of lawsInterpret meaning of laws

Supreme CourtSupreme Court

Checks on power:Checks on power: Change law to fit the ConstitutionChange law to fit the Constitution Change the Constitution to fit the lawChange the Constitution to fit the law President appoints judges, Senate President appoints judges, Senate

approvesapproves Congress can impeach and remove Congress can impeach and remove

judges from officejudges from office Can only rule in cases that come to itCan only rule in cases that come to it