Unit 6: The Federal Court System and Supreme Court Decision-Making

1. Unit 6:The Federal Court System and Supreme Court Decision-Making Federal Court System

2. Federal Court System: Main Idea: Introduction to Federal Court System Notes: • The Constitution established the Supreme Court as the highest Federal Court. • Congress has the power to create lower federal courts to help deal with the increasing number of federal cases. • There are 2 basic types of federal courts: • Constitutional Federal Courts • Legislative Federal Courts

3. Federal Court System: Main Idea: Constitutional Federal Courts Notes: • Courts established by the legislative branch are called Constitutional Federal Courts. • These courts include: • Federal District Courts • Federal Courts of Appeals • The U.S. Court of International Trade

4. Federal Court System: Main Idea: Federal District Courts Notes: • Congress created district courts in 1789 to serve as trial courts • Today, there are 94 district courts (at least 1 for every state) and more than 550 district court judges.

5. Federal Court System: Main Idea: Federal District Courts (cont’d.) Notes: • U.S. district courts are trial courts for civil and criminal cases. • District courts use 2 types of juries: • Grand Jury (16-23 people that determine if there is enough evidence for a trial—may issue an indictment, or formal accusation charging a person with a crime) • Petit Jury (6-12 person trial jury)

6. Federal Court System: Main Idea: Federal Courts of Appeals Notes: • Congress created the U.S. courts of appeals in 1891 in order to hear appeals from lower courts, before they reach the U.S. Supreme Court. • There are 13 U.S. courts of appeals dividend among 12 circuits. • Usually a panel of 3 judges sit on each appeal.

7. Federal Court System: Main Idea: Federal Courts of Appeals (cont’d.) Notes: • Courts decide an appeal in 3 possible ways: • Uphold the original decision • Reverse that decision • Send a case back to a lower court to be tried again • Unless you appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, the decisions of the U.S. courts of appeals are final.

8. Federal Court System: Main Idea: The Court of International Trade Notes: • This court has jurisdiction over cases involving tariffs. • If you believe a tariff is too high, you may appeal to the Court of International Trade.

9. Federal Court System: Main Idea: Legislative Courts Notes: • Legislative Courts help Congress exercise its power. • There are 7 basic types of Legislative Courts: • U.S. Court of Federal Claims • U.S. Tax Court • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces • Territorial Courts • Court of the District of Columbia • The Court of Veterans’ Appeals • Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court