The Federal Court System

1. Section 1: The Lower Courts Section 2: The Supreme Court Section 3: The Courts and the Public Good CHAPTER 11 The Federal Court System

2. Section 1: The Lower Courts • Objectives: • What are the role and the authority of the lower courts? • How are the lower courts organized? • How are the lower-court judges selected?

3. Section 1: The Lower Courts • The role of the lower courts: • resolving disputes • setting precedents • interpreting the law

4. Section 1: The Lower Courts • The authority of the lower courts to hear the initial trial—original jurisdiction—of cases involving: • the Constitution and federal laws • diplomats • treaties • the U.S. government • state governments • citizens of other countries or of more than one state

5. Section 1: The Lower Courts • Organization of the lower courts: • district courts • appeals courts • special courts

6. Section 1: The Lower Courts • Process by which the lower-court judges are selected: • selected by the Department of Justice or White House staffers • approved or disapproved by the Senate

7. Section 2: The Supreme Court • Objectives: • How has the role of the Supreme Court changed over time? • How are the Supreme Court justices appointed, and what are their terms of office? • How does the Supreme Court operate?

8. Section 2: The Supreme Court • Changes in role of the Supreme Court: • powers grew to include judicial review • influence over the executive and legislative branches’ ability to pursue specific public policies increased

9. Section 2: The Supreme Court • Appointment process of Supreme Court justices: • The president appoints them. • The Senate approves or rejects the appointees. • Terms of office: • Justices can serve for life. • Each annual session lasts approximately eight months.

10. Section 2: The Supreme Court • Operation of the Supreme Court: • Lawyers file a written brief. • Justices hear oral arguments. • They have conferences to discuss the case and prepare their opinions. • Justices announce their decision.

11. Section 3: The Courts and the Public Good • Objectives: • What are the issues raised by judicial activism and judicial restraint? • How can the courts’ power be checked?

12. Section 3: The Courts and the Public Good • Issues raised by judicial activism and judicial restraint: • Federal judges overstep their powers through judicial activism. • If federal judges exercise judicial restraint, then the minority views and rights may go unheard and unprotected.

13. Section 3: The Courts and the Public Good • Ways the courts’ power can be checked: • appointment process of justices • congressional power to pass amendments • refusal of states or individuals to obey judicial decisions

14. 1. Describe the organization of the lower federal courts. 2. What is the selection process for lower-court judges? 3. How has the Supreme Court’s power changed since the late 1700s? 4. Describe the process a case goes through in the Supreme Court. Chapter Wrap-Up

15. 5. How do the executive and legislative branches check the Supreme Court’s power? 6. What are some common criticisms of the judiciary? Chapter Wrap-Up