Kanye West wants to be appointed to the Supreme Court What qualifications do YOU think he should have in order to be appointed to the Supreme Court? Use Art. 3 of the Constitution and tell me if he meets the qualifications!

A dual court system! Meaning: On one hand: national judiciary, across the country w/ more than 100 courts On the other hand: each State has its own system of courts (thousands) Most cases are heard here

Types of Federal Courts The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) Constitutional CourtsSpecial Courts 94 District Courts Courts of Appeals US Court of International Trade US Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces US Court of Appeals for Veteran Claims US Court of Federal Claims US Tax Other territorial Courts Courts of Wash. DC

Types of inferior or federal courts Constitutional Courts Formed by Congress under Art. 3 to exercise “the judicial Power of the United States” SCOTUS considered a Constitutional Court Special courts Do not exercise that broad “Judicial power……States” Created by Congress to hear cases arising out of some powers of Congress Narrower range of cases heard

Constitutional Courts hear most of the cases tried in federal courts They have “jurisdiction” over most federal cases Jurisdiction - the authority of a court to try and decide a case “to say the law” Determined by subject matter and parties Federal courts hear cases if it involves a “federal question” Interpretation and application of some aspect of the Constitution or federal law/treaty Or if it deals with Admiralty or maritime law

Falls into federal jurisdiction if one of the parties in the case is: 1.The United States or one of its offices/agencies 2.An ambassador, consul, or other official rep of a foreign nation 3.One of the 50 States suing another State or foreign government/subject 4.Citizen of one State suing a citizen of another State 5.An American suing a foreign government/subject 6.Citizen of a State suing another citizen of that same State where both have tittles to land under grants from different States

Those cases not heard by federal courts are heard by State courts (where most cases are heard)

Types of Jurisdiction Most cases fall in exclusive jurisdiction Ex: Failure to pay rent, sued – State/County court Some can be tried in either federal or State Concurrent jurisdiction Common among cases involving citizens from different States

Ex. of Concurrent Jurisdiction Taylor Swift lives in NYC but is driving her car in California where she is hit by Nick Jonas who lives in California. Taylor Swift sues Nick Jonas for $80,000 in damages (damages over $75,000) Can be tried in either federal or State court

Original Jurisdiction – court in which a case is first heard (trial court) Vs. Appellate Jurisdiction – court hears case on appeal Do not retry case, determine if trial court acted in accordance with the law Uphold, overrule, or modify trial court (lower court) decision SCOTUS – both original and (most often) appellate jurisdiction

District Courts! 50 States divided into 89 federal judicial districts Also territories At least 2 judges in each district Have original jurisdiction for most cases heard Both criminal and civil Most decisions are final

Courts of Appeals! 13 Courts of Appeals, see map (includes Wash. DC and Federal Circuit) From previous slide: Do not retry case, determine if trial court acted in accordance with the law; uphold, overrule, or modify trial court (lower court) decision Most courts usually sit in 3-judge panels