Art I: The Legislative Branch

Art II: The Executive Branch

Art III: The Judicial Branch

Art IV: Relations between states

Art V: Amendment process

Art VI: National Supremacy

Art VII: Ratification

This week we will focus on Article III – The Judicial Branch

Established a national Supreme Court

Congress has power to create lower federal courts

Federal Judges are appointed by the president

Appointments must be approved by Senate

Lists Federal Jurisdiction

The courts authority to hear and decide a case.

1. Original Jurisdiction = court has the right to hear case first

2. Exclusive Jurisdiction = ONLY a certain court has the right

3. Concurrent Jurisdiction = shared jurisdiction

4. Appellate Jurisdiction = hear case on appeal

Cases involving the Constitution

Violation of Federal Law

Controversies between States

Disputes between people from different States

Suits involving the Federal Government

Cases involving Foreign Governments & Treaties

Cases based on Maritime Laws

Cases involving US DiplomatsThe first four are of particular importance.

The majority of crimes committed break STATE law. However there are a number of federal laws against certain crimes.

Also included is patent rights and bankruptcy

According to the Constitution there are no ‘official’ qualifications to be a federal judge.

IN THEORY – you don’t need a law degree

IN REALITY – All federal judges have law degrees and legal experience.

IMPORTANT: IT IS A LIFETIME APPOINTMENT

US DISTRICT COURT - RALEIGH

There are 94 District Courts located around the Country. District Courts have original jurisdiction in federal cases

Judge and Jury hear trial

12 Courts of Appeal around the Country (+a special 13th) each has its own circuit.

Courts hear cases on Appeal

No Jury = a bench trial = 3+Judges

4th Circuit – Richmond, VA

There are 8 Associate Justices and 1 Chief Justice

Chief Justice John Roberts

Declares whether laws are constitutional or unconstitutional

The most important case of all!!!!

The right to decide whether laws were constitutional.

The courtroom calendar is called a docket. Only a handful of cases make it onto this list.

The decision of the court

Same belief as majority but for different reasons

Oppose the majority

Clarence Thomas sits on the court today.

Had previously won important SC case – Brown v. Bd. Of Education

She retired last year

Ruth Bader Ginsberg is the only woman currently on the bench