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