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The Federal Courts. Federal Courts . Given Jurisdiction in any case involving… The Constitution Federal Laws Disputes between States Citizens from different States The Federal Government Foreign Governments Maritime Laws U.S. Diplomats. How the Courts are organized.
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Federal Courts • Given Jurisdiction in any case involving… • The Constitution • Federal Laws • Disputes between States • Citizens from different States • The Federal Government • Foreign Governments • Maritime Laws • U.S. Diplomats
Selection of Federal Judges • Article II gives the President the power to appoint judges in the Federal court system • Senatorial Courtesy is usually only applies to district courts • Judges can hold office for life
Positions in the Federal Courts • Magistrates • Magistrate Judges take care of routine work • Issue Court orders ex. Search Warrants • Hear preliminary evidence • Decide whether or not someone should have bail
U.S. Attorneys • Government Lawyers who prosecute people accused of breaking Federal Crimes • Appointed to four year terms by the President, with consent of the Senate • Attorney General Eric Holder
U.S. Marshalls • Protect jurors • Serve legal papers • Keep order in the Federal Courts • Take convicted persons to Prison
Organization & Duties • 8 associate Justices, led by a Chief Justice • Main job is to hear and rule on Cases • They decide which cases they will hear, then they decide the case • After deciding the case they write an explanation for their decision. This is called The Court’s Opinion
Supreme Court Jurisdiction • Disputes involving diplomats from foreign countries, and disputes between States automatically go to the Supreme Court • All other cases are appealed from lower courts. • The Supreme Courts decision is binding for all lower courts • http://www.icivics.org/games/court-quest