Chapter 15: The Federal Courts. The Federal Courts The legal system Federal courts The power of the…
The Federal and State Courts Notes for Chapter 8.
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The Federal and The Federal and State Courts State Courts Notes for Notes for Chapter 8 Chapter 8
Transcript of The Federal and State Courts Notes for Chapter 8.
The Federal and The Federal and State CourtsState Courts
The Federal and The Federal and State CourtsState Courts
Notes for Chapter 8Notes for Chapter 8
Court’s Basic Structure
US Supreme
Court
US Courts of Appeals
Federal District Courts
Other members of the federal judiciary
The Federal Courts
• Federal District Courts: –94 districts, at least one per state.
–Nearest courthouse is Elizabeth City.
–Are “work horses of the federal system.” Most cases heard here.
–Only federal court where a jury trial is held. All others have bench trials.
The Federal Courts
• US Court of Appeals: – 12 regular circuits.
– Judges sit in panels of 3.
– Hear only appeals.
– NC in Circuit 4, centered in Richmond, VA.
– The 13th circuit or “Federal Circuit” was created in 1982 in Washington, DC to hear civil appeals from several courts & the Patent Office.
US Judicial Circuits
The Federal Courts• Legislative Courts: Help Congress exercise
its power. Have fixed terms for most judges:– US Claims Ct.: Hear money suits vs. US– US Tax Ct.: Hear civil disputes with IRS-Not
criminal– Territorial Courts: Run like state courts.
Territories are US Virgin Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, N. Marianas Islands.
– DC Courts: Run like municipal courts in most large cities.
Other Members of the Judiciary
• Attorney General
• US District Attorneys
• US Marshalls
• Magistrates
• US Clerks of Court
Jurisdiction Road
• For each scenario, the group should answer each of the following questions in the section that corresponds to the number:
a.Is it a criminal, civil or constitutional case?
b.Is there exclusive or concurrent jurisdiction?
c.What federal court has Original jurisdiction?
Chapter 8.3• Getting Appointed: (pp.246, 250-251)
Process & CriteriaConstitutional Requirements
• Structure of the Supreme Court: (p. 250)Do search of the current membersDiscuss the “Switch in time that saved 9”
Powers of the Supreme Court: (pp. 250-53)Outline Constitutional wordingDiscuss Marbury v. Madison & quote in bookGive examples of Judicial Review & importance
Limits of the Supreme Court: (p. 253)Discuss today’s quote with Presidential checksDetail Congressional & Constitutional checks
Read 8.4. Take notes for p. 78:1. Explain the ways cases reach the
SCOTUS:
• original jurisdiction
• appellate jurisdiction
• rule of 4
2. Explain the steps in hearing a case:
3. Explain 2 reasons why the decisions of the Supreme Court is important:
