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Section 2 at a Glance

Section 2 at a Glance. Lower Federal Courts The courts in the 94 federal judicial districts have original jurisdiction over most federal and civil cases. They handle more than 300,000 cases a year. The 12 federal courts of appeals have appellate jurisdiction only.

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Section 2 at a Glance

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  1. Section 2 at a Glance • Lower Federal Courts • The courts in the 94 federal judicial districts have original jurisdiction over most federal and civil cases. They handle more than 300,000 cases a year. • The 12 federal courts of appeals have appellate jurisdiction only. • Under its Article I powers, Congress has established a number of specialized lower courts to hear cases of limited subject-matter jurisdiction.

  2. The Jurisdiction of District Courts Court Officials • Constitution mandates cases involving foreign governments, residents of different states be handled in district court • Federal violations: from violation of employment laws to handled in district courts • Panels of citizens called grand juries hear evidence in serious criminal cases. • District courts have separate bankruptcy court • Judge is court’s highest official; judges instruct juries about law, make sure proper trial procedures are followed • Magistrate judges oversee early hearings in criminal trials, also hear civil cases or minor criminal cases called misdemeanors • Clerks of the court handle non-judicial tasks, maintaining records Federal District Courts T

  3. Federal District Courts (cont’d.) • Other Courtroom Officials • Each federal court district has a U.S. attorney to represent the U.S. government. • U • Public defenders are lawyers appointed by court to represent defendants who lack money to hire their own. • U

  4. Federal Courts of Appeals • Purpose of the Courts of Appeals • Appeals courts: middle tier in hierarchy of federal court system • Hear cases on appeal from district courts within their circuit • Few appeals succeed • Appeals Court Procedure • M • B • Appeals Court Ruling • Court’s ruling usually stands; occasionally reviewed by larger panel of judges or returned to district court for more hearings • The Federal Circuit • Court of Appeals for Federal Circuit has nationwide appellate jurisdiction: cases dealing with patents, trademarks, government contracts, international trade

  5. Other Federal Courts • U.S. Court of International Trade • Hears cases involving laws and rules of international trade • U.S. Tax Court • H • U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims • Hears cases involving disputes over veterans’ benefits • U.S. Court ofFederal Claims • Hears cases involving claims over $10,000 owed by U.S. government. • United States has sovereign immunity • In some circumstances the government can be sued

  6. Other Federal Courts (cont’d.) • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces • Hears cases involving appeals from courts-martial, or military courts • National Security Courts • Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court reviews requests to spy on “agents of a foreign power” in U.S. • Alien Terrorist Removal Court reviews requests to remove suspected terrorists from U.S. • Military Commissions • Outside normal judicial system, rulings may be challenged in federal court • Washington, D.C., and Territorial Courts • C

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