Bell Work Get out your notes Answer the following in your notes: What do you know about the Federal Court System?

Overview of the US Federal Courts

Origin Article III of the US Constitution established the Judicial Branch, one of the 3 separate and distinct branches of the Federal government

Origin The Constitution promotes “Judicial Independence” through: Life Appointments Removal From office only through Impeachment Salary of federal judges can not be reduced during their term of office

Appointment of Judges Federal judges are appointed by the President with the “Advice and Consent of the Senate”

Structure of the Federal Judiciary Supreme Court The highest court in both the Federal and State system. Hears a limited number of cases, which generally involve important questions about the Constitution or federal law

Structure of the Federal Judiciary Circuit Court of Appeals There are 12 Regional Circuits (and also the Federal Circuit) Most appeal cases heard by panels of 3 judges When the case is heard by the entire appeals court, all the judges deliberate, which is referred to as “en banc”

Structure of the Federal Judiciary District Court There are 94 judicial districts in the US Approximately 1,500 federal court judges AZ is one judicial district with federal courts in Phoenix and Tucson

Jurisdiction Federal courts are courts of “limited jurisdiction” which means they are authorized to hear only certain types of cases

Jurisdiction Constitutional Issues Controversies between states Controversies between the US and foreign nations Federal Criminal Laws Federal Civil Laws Lawsuits between citizens of different states

Marbury v. madison (1803) Established Judicial Review Judicial Review is the process of declaring laws or actions unconstitutional