Objective 5.1-5.

4
Describe the

5.1-Structure of the federal

Judicial Branch
5.2-Powers of the J. B.
5.3-Different jurisdictions of J. B.
5.4- Organization and Jurisdiction
of the Judicial Branch

Objective 5.1
Article III of the US
Constitution created the
Supreme Court and all lesser
courts

Courts of the Federal Judicial

Branch
US Supreme Court
(1 in US)

US Court of Appeals
(12 in US)

US District Courts
(94 in US)

Federal Courts
Federal Courts hear cases
involving federal laws
Involving Constitutional
questions

All federal Judges

are appointed by President
approved by Senate
Serve term as judge for life

5.2-Powers of the Judicial Branch

All federal courts have these 4 powers:
**Interpret Laws**
Makes rulings
on
Constitutional
Questions

Judicial
Branch
Powers
Protects Constitutional
rights of citizens in
Court cases

Hold trials
involving
federal laws

1. interpret laws
To make the final
decision on what a law
really means

interpret laws Example:

What does
students must remain
safe at all times
really mean?

2. Conduct trials
Hold a hearing in court
to decide the answer to a
legal question
Example: Did Jack break the law
when he stole the car?

3. Protect rights of citizens

in court
The court guarantees that a
citizens Constitutional
rights are protected when
arrested and during a trial

Protect rights of citizens

Example:
*6th Amendment guarantees right to a
lawyer
*A judge can throw out a confession
given to police without a lawyer
(or at least having been advised that they
have the right to an attorney present
during questioning.)

Rule on Constitutional
questions
Decides what the words of
the Constitution really
mean.
Decides if a law fits into the
Constitution?

Rule on Constitutional
questions
Example: 2000 election Gore v. Bush

More people voted for Al Gore

George Bush won the majority
Electoral vote
Who won the election?

Rule on Constitutional
questions
The Constitution says the President is
elected by the Electoral College NOT
by the popular vote

Supreme Court decided Gore v. Bush

George W. Bush won the election

5.3- Types of Federal

Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction=
authority to take legal action
**Federal Courts have 2 types
of Jurisdiction**

Original JurisdictionCourt trials begin in courts with

original jurisdictionJudges & Jury make decisions
Your image of a court case

Appellate Jurisdictionthese types of courts hear appeals

from lower courtsAppeal= request to have another
court review your case

Appellate Jurisdictionthese types of courts hear appeals

from lower courtsReview original case to be sure it was fair
No jury, No re-trial
Group of Judges make decisions

5.4-Organization and Jurisdiction

of the Judicial Branch
Supreme Court
(1 in US)

Court of Appeals
(12 in US)

District Court
(94 in US)

U.S.
District Courts
Lowest federal courts

District Courts have

Original jurisdiction
Court cases start in
District Courts

District Court

CAN NOT
Hear Appeals
(Do not have appellate
jurisdiction)

District Courts are

Judges and Jury

make decisions
the only federal court
where jury trials are held

District Courts are where

90% of work is done

Most court cases are
heard in District Court

U.S.
Court of
Appeals
Hears appeals of District courts

Court of Appeals has

appellate
jurisdiction only
only hears appeal cases
from lower courts

Court of Appeals
Appeal= judge looks over
earlier court decision

Decisions of Court of
Appeals:
A group of 3 judges makes
another decision in the case
NO JURY TRIALS

Decisions of
Court of Appeals
Court of Appeals judges
decide if original trial
decision was fair
if it was not a fair decision
then they can over rule the
original decision

Function of Court
of Appeals

THIS IS A REVIEW
of the TRIAL given
DISTRICT COURT

U.S.
Supreme Court
Highest court in the US

Supreme Court is

Highest Court
in the Land!!!

Jurisdiction

Supreme Court has

BOTH appellate and
original Jurisdiction

Appellate jurisdiction

Most of the time hears

appeal cases fromUS Court of Appeals
State Supreme Courts.

Has original jurisdiction in

only 3 types of cases.
1.Cases involving diplomats of
other countries
2.Cases involving a state vs.
federal government.
3.Cases involving state vs.

Supreme Court has

9 Judges known as Justices:
1 is Chief Justice, leader
8 are Associate Justices
Decisions are made by a
majority rule vote

Supreme Court Decisions

ARE FINAL
CANNOT be
appealed.

Supreme Court has

power of

JUDICIAL
REVIEW
(Decided in Supreme Court
decision Marbury vs. Madison)

Supreme Court has

judicial review
the power to overturn any
law or Presidential act
which is in conflict with the
laws of the Constitution