Organization of the Federal Courts Chapter 11 Section 2

Constitutional Courts Federal court with constitutionally based powers and whose judges serve for life. Federal court with constitutionally based powers and whose judges serve for life. Created by Judiciary Act of 1789 Created by Judiciary Act of 1789 The District Courts The District Courts Primary Trial Courts in the Federal System Primary Trial Courts in the Federal System Where most federal cases go. Where most federal cases go. Grand Jury: a group of people who evaluate whether or not there is enough evidence to try a person. Grand Jury: a group of people who evaluate whether or not there is enough evidence to try a person. Petit Jury: jury that decides a person’s innocence or guilt. Trial Jury Petit Jury: jury that decides a person’s innocence or guilt. Trial Jury

Constitutional Courts The Courts of Appeals The Courts of Appeals 13 total, hear all appeal cases. 13 total, hear all appeal cases. Never have original jurisdiction. Never have original jurisdiction. Decide whether errors occurred in the original trial. Decide whether errors occurred in the original trial. The Court of International Trade The Court of International Trade Hears cases related to tariffs and trade. Hears cases related to tariffs and trade.

Legislative Courts Court of Military Appeals Court of Military Appeals United States Claims Court United States Claims Court The Courts of District of Columbia The Courts of District of Columbia The Territorial Courts The Territorial Courts The Court of Veteran Appeals The Court of Veteran Appeals The United States Tax Court The United States Tax Court

Federal Judges Selection Criteria Selection Criteria Experience and Background Experience and Background Almost all have law degrees, but come from a variety of backgrounds. Almost all have law degrees, but come from a variety of backgrounds. Political Ideology / Party Affiliation Political Ideology / Party Affiliation Conservatives select conservatives, liberals select liberals. Conservatives select conservatives, liberals select liberals. Race and Gender Race and Gender Thurgood Marshall: First African American on Supreme Court Thurgood Marshall: First African American on Supreme Court Sandra Day O’Connor: First female Sandra Day O’Connor: First female Senatorial Courtesy Senatorial Courtesy The president first asks the Senators from the Judges home state to approve of the selection The president first asks the Senators from the Judges home state to approve of the selection

Selection Process Judges have lifetime positions and can only be removed by impeachment. Judges have lifetime positions and can only be removed by impeachment. 13 have been impeached, 7 convicted. 13 have been impeached, 7 convicted.

Selection Process Senate Confirmation Senate Confirmation Senate Judiciary Committee interviews nominee and makes a recommendation. Senate Judiciary Committee interviews nominee and makes a recommendation. If the committee does not recommend, the candidate is usually rejected. If the committee does not recommend, the candidate is usually rejected. 28 of the 146 Supreme Court nominees have not passed. 28 of the 146 Supreme Court nominees have not passed. Selection Gridlock Selection Gridlock Gridlock: when nothing gets done Gridlock: when nothing gets done Increases workload of the courts. Increases workload of the courts.