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149

NAME __________________________________________ Block ____________ Teacher_____________________

Unit Objectives:

Powers of the national Judicial Branch to interpret the laws

Describe the organization of the United States judicial system (with both federal and state courts)

Explain what is “judicial review”

Compare and contrast criminal law cases and civil law cases

Explain how “due process” ensures justice for all citizens

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150

Judicial Branch Vocabulary Homework

Directions: Circle the word that correctly completes each sentence.

1. Kira was found guilty of a crime. She wanted a(n) ___ to see if a court would change the verdict. a. precedent b. appeal

2. The main job of the courts is to ___ the laws.

a. jurisdiction b. interpret

3. The __ is the highest court in the United States. a. Supreme Court b. District Court

4. The authority of the courts to hear cases from a lower court is called__.

a. exclusive jurisdiction b. appellate jurisdiction

5. Maria was a ___ on the Supreme Court. a. judge b. justice

6. The authority of the courts to hear and try cases is called___.

a. jurisdiction b. precedent

7. The ___ made up of 12 men and women failed to reach a verdict on the case. a. judge b. jury

8. The Supreme Court ruled that the president’s executive order was __.

a. judicial review b. unconstitutional

9. District Courts have the authority to hear cases for the first time. This is called __. a. original jurisdiction b. appellate jurisdiction

10. The ___ in Virginia try major criminal and civil cases.

a. Supreme Court b. Circuit Courts

11. Matt got a higher court to review his case. His trial will be held in a(n) ___. a. Appeals Court b. Supreme Court

12. The court case Brown v. Board of Education set the ___ of desegregating the public schools.

a. precedent b. judicial review

13. These courts usually get court cases first-___. a. Appeals Courts b. District Courts

14. The Supreme Court has the power of ___ over actions of the President and Congress.

a. judge b. judicial review

15. After Sam finished law school, he became a ___ for the U.S. Appeals Court. a. judge b. jury

16. Nigel was accused of counterfeiting twenty dollar bills. The U.S. District Court will get his case because of

___. a. exclusive jurisdiction b. appellate jurisdiction

151

□Precedent □Appeals Court □Jurisdiction □ Justice □Judicial Review □Supreme Court □ Exclusive jurisdiction □ Jury □Unconstitutional □District Court □ Original jurisdiction □ Judge □Appeal □Circuit Court □Appellate jurisdiction □Interpret

Highest court in the United States

Courts that review decisions made in the lower courts

Court that holds trials for major criminal and civil cases in Virginia

Courts where most criminal and civil cases are heard for the first time

Public official in a court that hears and tries cases

A “judge” of the Supreme Court

group of people sworn by law to give a verdict in a legal case on the based

on the evidence submitted in court

A court’s authority to hear and decide cases

Authority to hear cases for the first time

Authority to hear cases appealed from a lower court

Cases in which only federal courts have jurisdiction

Not allowed under the laws and rules of the Constitution

To request a review of a case

Power of the Supreme Court to say whether any law or government action

goes against the Constitution

Ruling used as a basis for a decision in other similar cases

To translate; to offer an explanation

152

The Judicial Branch ~ Federal Level

The Judicial branch is organized into a dual court system which consists of federal courts and state courts. At the national or federal

level, the judicial body consists of the Supreme Court of the United States and the federal courts. The U.S. Supreme Court

has no jury. It consists of one chief justice and 8 associate justices. These justices serve for life and are appointed by the president

and approved by the Senate. The jurisdiction of the U.S. Supreme Court comes from the Constitution. Jurisdiction is the right of a

court to hear or listen to a case and make a decision.

The Supreme Court has appellate and limited original jurisdiction. Appellate jurisdiction means that it can review the decisions

of lower courts. The Supreme Court may decide to hear a case or it can let the decision of the lower court stand or remain. Limited

original jurisdiction means that it can hear some cases before any other court hears them. These original jurisdiction cases often

involve foreign diplomats or states.

Other federal courts include the U.S. Court of Appeals and the U.S. District Court. These courts try cases that involve federal

law and constitutional issues. Like the U.S. Supreme Court, these courts have no jury. The court of appeals has appellate

jurisdiction. The U.S. District Court is the lowest level of the federal court system. It is a trial court. There are 94 district courts in

the United States. These federal judges hear civil and criminal cases. The U.S. District court has original jurisdiction and a jury.

Complete the chart below. Check all that apply.

Justices Judges Jury Original Jurisdiction Appellate jurisdiction Judicial Review

Supreme Court

US Appeals Court

US District Court

The Judicial Branch ~ State Level

In addition to the federal courts, the dual court system of the United States has state courts. Like the other 49 states, Virginia has its

own separate court system. The organization and jurisdiction of Virginia’s courts come from Virginia’s constitution and state laws.

The highest judicial level in Virginia is the Virginia Supreme Court. Like the U.S. Supreme Court, the Virginia Supreme Court has no

jury, consists of justices, and has the power of judicial review but at the state level. It determines whether the laws and acts of

the other branches of the state government conform to the Virginia Constitution. All state laws must conform to both the United States

and the Virginia Constitution. The Virginia Supreme Court’s jurisdiction includes limited original jurisdiction and appellate

jurisdiction. Its appellate jurisdiction makes it the court of final appeal in Virginia which means all decisions are final at the state

level.

The judicial level below the Supreme Court is the Court of Appeals of Virginia. This court reviews the decisions of Virginia’s circuit

courts. It has appellate jurisdiction, no jury, and consists of a panel of judges.

Below the Court of Appeals in VA is the Circuit Court. These courts have a jury and judges. Circuit courts have original

jurisdiction for felony criminal cases and for certain civil cases that involve large financial claims. They also have appellate

jurisdiction from Virginia’s lower district courts.

The lower courts of Virginia are called General District Courts and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. These

courts have no jury and all cases are heard by a judge who makes the final ruling. General district courts have original jurisdiction

of all misdemeanors in civil cases usually involving lower dollar amounts. Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court has original

jurisdiction in juvenile and family cases.

Complete the chart below. Check all that apply.

Justices Judges Jury Original Jurisdiction Appellate jurisdiction Judicial Review

VA State Supreme Court

VA Appeals Court

VA Circuit Courts

VA District Court

153

Powers of the Courts~ Judicial Review and Due Process

The U.S. Supreme Court has the power of judicial review. This means that it can decide if laws passed by the legislative branch or

actions taken by the executive branch are in agreement with the Constitution, the supreme law of the land. This principle of

judicial review was established by Chief Justice John Marshall during a court case known as Marbury v. Madison in the early 1800s. It

is an important check on the powers of the other branches of government.

The Constitution of the United States guarantees that the government cannot take away a citizen’s basic rights without due

process of law. Due process of law is the constitutional protection for American citizens against unfair governmental

actions and laws. When a person is treated unfairly by the government, including the courts, he is said to have been deprived of or

denied due process.

The right to due process of the law is outlined in both the 5th Amendment and the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the

United States. While the 5th Amendment prohibits the national government from acting unfairly, the 14th Amendment prohibits the

state and local government from acting unfairly. In addition, the Supreme Court has extended the due process clauses to protect all of

the guarantees found in the Bill of Rights.

1. Define the term “Due Process of the Law”.

2. In which amendments to the Constitution is due process defined?

Civil and Criminal Law

Courts in the United States settle two kinds of disputes or conflicts: civil and criminal. Civil law deals with conflicts between two or

more parties. These two parties are called the plaintiff and the defendant.

In a civil case, a plaintiff files a complaint with the court to recover damages or receive compensation from the defendant.

Compensation can be in the form of money to compensate for an injury or it can be an order to stop harmful behavior. Civil cases can

be heard by a judge or jury and can be appealed to the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court.

Criminal law deals with illegal acts called crimes. Two categories of crimes include misdemeanors and felonies. A misdemeanor is a

crime such as minor theft or simple assault that does not cause major injury. A misdemeanor usually results in no more than a year in

jail or fines that do not exceed $2,500. A felony, such as arson or murder, is a more serious crime that can result in more than a year

in jail or the death penalty. In a criminal case, the court decides whether a defendant is guilty or not guilty of a misdemeanor or a

felony.

The process for bringing a criminal case to trial begins with a crime. The person accused of the crime may be arrested if the police

have probable cause. Probable cause means that the police have a reasonable belief that the person committed the crime. After

being arrested, the person is committed to jail or released on bail. Bail is a sum of money that is given to the court. It allows an

accused person to be temporarily released from jail with the promise that he will return later for trial. The next step in the process is

the arraignment. During the arraignment, probable cause is reviewed, an attorney may be appointed for the defendant, and a

plea is entered. A plea is when the defendant states his guilt or innocence. Following the arraignment a court date is set and a trial is

held. If the defendant is found guilty of committing the crime, the case may be appealed to the Court of Appeals. In some cases, an

appeal can be made directly to the Supreme Court.

1. What is the difference between a civil case and a criminal case?

2. What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony?

3. The plaintiff is only looking for _____________________ in a civil case.

4. In criminal cases, there must be ____________________ in ordered to arrest and try a suspect.

5. Which type of case has to go through more steps, criminal or civil? Why?

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For each of the following situations decide which court would handle the case. Use the following abbreviations to answer the questions.

DC for U.S. District Court

CA for the U.S. Court of Appeals

SC for the U.S. Supreme Court

1. ________ John is seeking $500,000 damages from the big national chemical company that polluted his pond in violation of federal anti-

pollution laws.

2. ________ Marco is charged with kidnapping a young girl and carrying her across state lines.

3. ________ Marco is convicted of kidnapping and he wants to appeal.

4. ________ Marco lost in his first appeal and appealed to a higher court. He argued that his confession was not voluntary.

5. ________ This court has the final word on the constitutionality of a federal law.

6. ________ A man is refused entrance to a restaurant because of his clothing. He says his clothing is religious and he wants to sue the

restaurant.

7. ________. An inmate at the federal penitentiary was convicted of capital murder and being a drug “kingpin” and was sentenced to death.

He wants to appeal.

8. ________ A family sues the school district because their son was denied entrance to a magnet school because of his race.

9. ________ The family loses their discrimination lawsuit against the school district. They appeal the decision.

10. ________ The family wins their appeal because the court says they were not allowed to present some evidence in their trial. Their

lawsuit is sent to this court for a new trial.

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Lesson 1: Judicial Branch- the Federal Courts

Date:

Essential Question: __________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Main Ideas/ Connections to Notes:

Notes: 1. The ___________________________________ was created by

____________________________________ of Constitution.

2. The main job of the Judicial Branch is to ____________________________.

3. The courts interpret the laws by __________________________________.

4. The court’s authority to hear and try cases is called __________________.

5. There are 3 types of jurisdiction:

Jurisdiction

____________________

cases that can only be heard in the federal courts

____________________

authority of a court to hear and try cases for the first

time

______________________

authority of a court to hear cases appealed from a lower

court

Examples:

Issues about

Constitution

Foreign

countries

Federal gov’t

or federal

law

Examples:

Counterfeiting

money

Treaties

Disagreements

between the

states

Examples:

Rights were

violated in

court

Due process

was not

followed

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6. Court cases involving ________________________ or the ______________

are heard in the federal courts.

Summary : What is the purpose of the federal courts and why are there 3 levels of the federal courts?

U.S Supreme Court

Jurisdiction

1- _____________

2- _____________

Headed by ________________

Jury (?) ___________________

U.S. Appeals Courts

Jurisdition

1- _________________________

Panel of ____________________

Jury (?) _____________________

U.S. District Courts

Jurisdiction

1- _________________________________

Headed by a _______________________

Jury (?) __________________________ Most federal cases

begin here

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Lesson 2- The Virginia State Courts Date:


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Notes: ___________________________________________________________________________

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Summary :

Virginia Supreme Court

Jurisdiction

1-__________________________

2- _________________________

- Headed by state _____________

- Jury ? _____________________

Virginia Court of Appeals

Jurisdiction

1- __________________________

(over cases appealed from the circuit courts)

- Panel of ___________________

- Jury?______________________

Virginia Circuit Courts

Jurisdiction

1_ _______________________

(over felonly criminal cases and certain civil cases)

- _________________________

(over cases appealed from the district courts)

- Headed by a __________________

- Jury? ________________________

Virginia General District Courts

Jurisdiction

1- ______________________ _______

(over misdemeanors & lower dollar civil cases)

- Headed by a __________________

- Jury? _______________________

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Lesson 3: Powers of the Courts

(Judicial Review and Due Process)

Date:


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Notes: ___________________________________________________________________________

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Summary :

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Following established legal procedures to ensure that the rights of the people

are protected

Legal matter when a crime is involved

Serious crime such as murder or rape, kidnapping or robbery

Minor offense such as vandalism or stealing inexpensive items

Hearing in which a suspect is charged and pleads guilty or not guilty

Decision reached by a jury (or judge) after hearing a case

Individual or group being sued or charged with a crime

A defendant’s answer to charges

Statements a witness makes will under oath

Another name for a lawyer

Security deposit an accused person must give to earn release from jail with the

promise of returning for their court date

A person not yet legally an adult (under 18 years of age)

Reasonable belief that a person has committed a crime or intent to harm others

Legal matter that involves a dispute between people or groups of people

Legal action in which a person or group sues to collect damages for some harm

that has been done

Court cases involving family issues (adoption, child custody, divorce…)

Person or party filing a lawsuit

Formal notice that a lawsuit is being brought

To give an award, usually money, to make up for a loss, injury or suffering

CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAW

□Juvenile □Criminal case □Civil Case □Verdict □Due process □Misdemeanor □Complaint □Plea □Attorney □Arraignment □Lawsuit □Bail □Defendant □Felony □Domestic relations □Compensation □Testimony □Probable cause □Plaintiff

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Criminal and Civil Law

Across

3. Decision reached after hearing a case

4. A defendant’s answer to charges

7. Legal matter when a crime is involved

10. Formal notice that a lawsuit is being brought

12. A person not yet legally an adult

13. Hearing in which a suspect is charged and pleads guilty or not guilty

14. Minor offense such as vandalism

16. Person or party filing a lawsuit

17. Statements a witness makes will under oath

18. Serious crime such as murder

19. Legal matter that involves a dispute between people or groups of people

Down

1. Reasonable belief that a person has committed a crime or intent to harm others

2. To give an award, usually money, to make up for a loss, injury or suffering

5. Another name for a lawyer

6. Following established legal procedures

8. Legal action in which a person or group sues to collect damages for some harm that has

been done

9. Court cases involving family issues

11. Security deposit an accused person must give to earn release from jail

15. Individual or group being sued or charged with a crime

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Lesson 4- Procedures in Criminal Law Cases

Date:


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Notes: _________________________________________________________________________

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Summary :

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Lesson 5: Civil Law Cases

Date:


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Notes: __________________________________________________________________________

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Summary :

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Judicial Unit Study Guide

□ Know your list of Vocabulary

□ Understand the organizations, jurisdictions, powers of the dual court system

(federal AND ESPECIALLY THE STATE COURTS)

Define due process of the law.

Identify the 2 amendments which establish due process protections-

1. 5th amendment at the national level

2. 14th amendment at the state and local level

Recognize the main idea of the following amendments and how they are used to establish due

process: 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th

Understand the importance of “judicial review” for the courts

Describe the similarities and differences between a civil case and a criminal case

Identify the procedures in a criminal case ( that follow due process protections)

Identify the procedures in a civil case

US Supreme Court

limited original and appellate jurisdictions

justices but no jury

has judicial review

US Court of Appeals

appellate jurisdiction

judges but no jury

US District Court

original jurisdiction

judge and/or jury

VA Supreme Court

limited original and appellate jurisdictions

justices but no jury

has judicial review

VA Appeals Court

appellate jurisdiction

judges but no jury

VA Circuit Courts

Original jurisdiction over major criminal and civil cases

Appellate jurisdiction over minor civil and criminal cases

judge and/or jury

VA General District Courts

original jurisdiction over minor civil and crimonal cases

judges but no jury

includes Juvenile and Domestic relations Courts

A person accused of a

crime may be arrested if there is

probable cause

B the accused may get

bail or jail

C Court Hearing (arrignment)

- Probable cause reviewed and charges are announced

- given an attorney

- plea entered

D Day in court (trial)

- judge or jury

- testimony given

E End of trial (verdict)

if guilty, defendant may appeal

Lawsuit

•plaintiff files a complaint to recover damages or receive compensation

•defendant must respond to charges

Trial

•if not settled out of court

•cases goes to a judge or a jury

Verdict

•cases can be appealed to avoid paying damages

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