Federal and State Court System

1. Federal and State Court System Chapter 13

2. The Judicial System in Democracy Lesson 1 Complete activity on page 386 - discuss

3. Early Systems of law • Law – is the set of rules and standards by which a society governs itself. In democratic societies, law resolves conflict between and among individuals. • -Earliest known laws are based on tribal societies, Code of Hammurabi • -Ten Commandments – ancient Israelites • -Roman law – written law – 12 tablets (watch video) • -English Common law – Common law was made by judges in the American Colonies

4. Principles of Democracy in the Judiciary • According to our democratic principles, every person should have free and equal opportunity to pursue individual goals and desires. • So that one person’s pursuit of happiness does not infringe upon another’s we have agreed upon certain guidelines for our behavior. • When there is conflict – the court is the solution

5. Rule of law – The idea behind the rule of law is that no individual, group, organization or government entity is above the law. *accountability *transparency

6. Controls on the Abuse of Power – -The judicial branch checks the legislative branch using Judicial review -the executive branch enforces the decisions of the court -the executive branch, with legislative approval, appoints judges -the courts can only hear cases that are brought to them -Courts are prevented from giving “advisory” opinions

7. Judicial Independence • A key element of a democracy is that courts must act impartially.

8. Trials • What are the purposes of trials and appeals in our court systems?

9. The Functions of trial Courts • Criminal trial courts hear cases about crimes such as burglary or murder.  • Civil trial courts hear cases where one person or group accuses another of causing harm. 

10.  Trial courts have original jurisdiction over both criminal and civil cases. • The United States has an adversarial system, in which each side presents witnesses and evidence.  • The judge functions as a referee to ensure fairness • Inquisitorial System – a trial system where the judge plays an active role in gathering evidence • Chart pg. 391

11. The Trial Process • In a civil trial, the plaintiff accuses the defendant of causing damage.  • In a criminal trial the government, as prosecutor, accuses the defendant of a crime.  

12. The jury gives a verdict based on evidence presented in court.  • If a defendant cannot afford a private attorney, the state or trial judge appoints a public defender. • Many civil cases settle out-of-court, and many criminal cases are settled by plea bargains. Chart on page 393

13. Juries • The Fifth Amendment requires a grand juryindictment before trial in a federal court for a serious crime.  • The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to a jury trial for criminal cases in federal and state courts.

14. The Seventh Amendment guarantees the right to a jury trial for civil cases in federal courts. • Citizens have a civic duty to serve on juries when called upon. Juries must reflect the diversity of the community in which the trial is held.

15. Enron Trial • Why are Ken Lay and Jeffrey Skilling being prosecuted? • Why are people concerned about the jury selection for the trial of Ken Lay and Jeffrey Skilling? • How are the defendants and the defense lawyers reacting to the coming trial? • If you were a former Enron employee who was chosen for jury duty on this case, would you be able to treat the defendants fairly? Why or why not?

16. Activity • Why is it extremely important that people have confidence in the court system? • In what ways does the adversarial trial system differ from the inquisitorial trial system? In what ways are they similar?

17. Appeals – lesson 3 • What are the purposes of trials and appeals in our court system?

18. Types of Cases that are appealed • Appeals are possible when the losing party can claim that an error of law affected the outcome. • Mistakes on the part of the judge in applying the law or in allowing evidence are errors of law.

19. Types of Cases that are appealed • Procedural due process ensures a fair trial by requiring that consistent procedures are followed. • If a constitutional guarantee is violated, the case can be appealed

20. Procedures at an appeals court • The lawyers for each party present arguments for or against the trial court’s decision. • The judges may uphold the trial court’s decision, reverse it, or send the case back for retrial. • The ruling of the court is usually explained in a written opinion.

21. If the judges are not in agreement, a majority opinion and a dissenting opinion will be issued. • A concurring opinion is issued by judges who support the ruling but for alternate reasons.

22. Precedent and Stare Decisis • Precedent is an important consideration for appeals court judges. • Precedent, or stare decisis, makes the law predictable and provides stability. • Precedents apply to all the courts below the court that rules in the case. • Appellate courts may, rarely, overrule one of their earlier precedent Pg. 401 court case

23. Local, State, and Federal Courts Lesson 4

24. The United States has a dual court system of state and federal courts State Courts derive their power from state constitution and laws Federal courts derive their power from the Constitution and federal law Chart on page 404

25. Jurisdiction (The authority of a trial court to be the first to hear a case) State and Local Courts Each state has its own court system and most of the legal cases in the United States are resolved in state courts. Most state courts have general jurisdiction – courts that are able to hear a wide variety of cases that deal with state or local law, the state constitution, or federal law or the federal constitution

26. State Trial and Appeals Courts State courts vary in their general structure but generally have three types of courts: 1. minor courts (family court, traffic court) 2. general trial courts (civil or criminal court) 3. appeals Courts (hear cases that have been appealed from the lower courts)

27. State and Local Judges are selected in four different ways: 1. popular election 2. elections by the legislature 3. appointment by the governor 4. combination of appointment and popular elections Federal Judges: 1. are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, they serve for life

28. Federal Courts -Federal Courts are considered to be courts of limited jurisdiction – courts that generally hear cases that raise questions about a federal law or the federal Constitution -Federal courts can sometimes decide cases that deal with state law if the parties to the case are from different states and a large amount of money is in questions

29. Federal Trials and Appeals Courts: -the United States is divided into 94 federal judicial district court, with a trial court known as a federal district court in each district. These trial courts handle both criminal and civil cases - Examples of types of courts: Federal Bankruptcy court, tax court, Military court, Tribal Court -Regional Circuit – the divisions under the United States Federal Courts system, grouped into 12 regional circuits, each of which has a federal court of appeals, also called a United States Circuit court

31. Morse v Frederick • Page 401

32. The Supreme Court of the United States • Chapter 14

33. Selecting Cases at the Supreme Court • Lesson 1

34. The Function of the Supreme Court The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land. • The Courts primary function is to resolve disputes that arise over the meaning of federal law and the Untied States Constitution • Judicial Review • Less than 1% of the cases appealed to the Supreme Court are heard

35. How does the Supreme Court decide what cases to hear? The Supreme Court has both original and appellate jurisdiction. Article III, Section 2 of the constitution sets the Court’s original jurisdiction: 1. cases involving representatives of foreign government 2. Certain cases in which a state is a party The Courts original jurisdiction can only be changed by a constitutional amendment

36. Appellate Jurisdiction (majority of cases) 1. cases that are appealed from the lower courts of appeal 2. cases from federal district courts where an act of Congress was held unconstitutional 3. cases appealed from the highest court of a state if claims under federal law or the Constitution are involved

37. Conflicts and Importance: 1. They choose cases where lower courts have decided the same issue in different ways. The Supreme Court is concerned about ensuring uniformity in decisions about the meaning of the Constitution and the interpretation of federal law 2. They choose cases that raise major questions about the law that will have a national impact – the question that must be answered for the good of the country. Ex. Abortion, death penalty, privacy, health care

38. Petitions for Certiorari – To appeal, the losing party sends the Court a petition for a writ of certiorari - an order from the Supreme Court to a lower court to send up the records on a case for review Solicitor General – is the government official representing the government– he can recommend that the justices accept a case Rule of Four - If four of the nine justices agree the hear the case, then the petition for certiorari is granted

39. Deciding Cases • Lesson 2

40. Arguing and Deciding Cases • Brief – a written statement setting forth a legal argument • Unanimous Ruling – All justices agree to the outcome • Majority Opinion – Issued by the justices who agree to the outcome • Dissenting Opinion – Issued by the justices who disagree with the final outcome • Concurring Opinion – Justices agree with the majority decision but for different reasons

41. Influences on the Court • Public Opinion • Values of Society • Example: Plessy v Ferguson 1896, Brown v Board of Education of Topeka 1954

42. Selecting Supreme Court Justices • Lesson 3

43. What are the Constitutional requirements for becoming a Supreme Court Judge? 1. The person must be nominated by the President 2. Confirmed by the Senate There are 9 supreme court Justices and they serve for life!

44. The Selection of Supreme Court Justices The President must consider several factors when appointing a justice. What are some things they take into consideration? 1. Personal integrity 2. Professional expertise 3. most Presidents what someone who has had experience as a judge 4. Committed to equal justice under the law 5. Someone that share their ideology Watch video and discuss

45. Constitutional Interpretations • lesson4

46. Duties of the Supreme Court • -Duties of the Supreme Court Justices have developed from laws and through tradition.

47. Interpreting the Constitution There are two ways to interpret the Constitution: 1. Judicial Restraint – the philosophy that courts should generally avoid overturning laws passed or actions taken by democratically elected bodies like congress or state legislatures. They believe by overturning such laws causes the Court to become too involved in social and political issues. They believe the Court should uphold acts of Congress unless the acts clearly violate a constitutional provision. In other words, the court should leave policy making to elected officials.

48. 2. Judicial Activism – the philosophy that courts must sometimes step into political and social controversies in order to protect Constitutional rights. This means that the Court would actively help settle the difficult social and political questions of the day. (Ex. Civil Rights or the New Deal Programs)

49. General information about the Supreme Court -The justice must decide how to determine what the text of the Constitution means. -Stare Decisis – “let the decision stand” – Which means once the Court rules on a case, its decision serves as a precedent or model for future cases

50. Checks and Balances: • The President checks the Supreme court by appointing Supreme Court justices • The Senate checks the Supreme Court by approving or rejecting the Presidents nominee • The people can check the Supreme Court by adopting an amendment to the Constitution