Unit 6, Lesson 1Unit 6, Lesson 1The Federal Court SystemThe Federal Court SystemAgenda:

1. Go over Judicial branch packet

2. Lesson 1 notes

3. “Appellate Courts

In a Flash” hw packetOutcome: Students will be able to explain the phrase “EqualJustice under the Law” and will knowwhich types of cases that the FederalCourts have jurisdiction over.

“Do you ever have one of those days when everything seems unconstitutional?”

Opener

Equal Justice Under the LawEqual Justice Under the Law

Federal Courts make up the third branch of the U.S. government

Courts use the law to settle disputes and to decide on the guilt or innocence of people accused of crimes

The United States Supreme Court is at the top of the federal court system

Our legal system is based on the ideal of “Equal Justice Under the Law”

“Equal Justice Under the Law” is on the outside of the Supreme Court

ConstitutionConstitution The federal court system is located in

Article III of the Constitution

Constitution only established the Supreme Court

Congress is given the power to create lower federal courts

Today the federal court system has three levels: district courts at the bottom, appeals courts in the middle, and the Supreme Court at the top

The federal court system exists along side 50 state court systems

Cases Heard in Federal CourtsCases Heard in Federal Courts Jurisdiction: the court’s

authority to hear and decide cases

1: Cases involving the Constitution: if the law in question deals with the U.S. Constitution

2: Violations of Federal Law: if a person commits a federal crime such as tax evasion they go to trial in federal court

3: Controversies Between States: disagreements between state governments are resolved in federal court

Legal disputes between States are settled in federal court

Cases Heard in Federal CourtsCases Heard in Federal Courts 4: Disputes Between Parties

from Different States: Suits between people from different states are heard in federal court

5: Suits Involving the Federal Government: when the fed. Govt. sues someone or someone sues the fed. govt.; examples?

6: Cases Involving Foreign Govts. and Treaties: any dispute between a foreign govt. and either the U.S. govt. or an American private party

Cases Heard in Federal CourtsCases Heard in Federal Courts 7: Cases Based on Admiralty

and Maritime Laws: laws concerning accidents or crimes on the high seas; treasure recovery?

8: Cases Involving U.S. diplomat: if an American diplomat working in the U.S. embassy is accused of breaking an American law

Captain Jack would be Captain Jack would be tried in Federal Courttried in Federal Court

Relation to State CourtsRelation to State Courts

For most of these areas federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction; only these courts can hear and decide those cases

State courts have jurisdiction over all other matters

Concurrent jurisdiction: Either court may try crimes that violate both state and federal law

Lady of Justice; Lady of Justice; Symbols?Symbols?

Work on “Appellate Courts” Work on “Appellate Courts” homework packet homework packet