The Supreme Court and the Federal Court System The Judicial Branch The Supreme Court and the Federal Court System

Creation of the National Judiciary The Constitution’s vague plan for the national judiciary can be found in Article 3 of the Constitution. Remember, there was no judicial branch under the Articles of Confederation.

Two kinds of “Inferior” Federal Courts Constitutional Courts: these courts exercise the judicial power of the United States Special Courts: these courts were created to hear cases arising out of the expressed powers given to Congress.

The Constitutional Courts Only the Supreme Court is mentioned in the Constitution Size of the Supreme Court is set by Congress (9) This court does not use a jury! Hears appeals from lower federal courts and highest state courts The Supreme Court

The Constitutional Courts These courts were created to assist the Supreme Court in the appellate process. These are bench trials. Hears appeals from the U.S. District Courts and certain other federal courts and commissions. U.S. Courts of Appeals

The Constitutional Courts These use a judge and a jury. (Trial Courts) These courts try cases involving federal crimes and federal civil proceedings. This is the “first stop” in the federal judicial process. U.S. District Courts

Jurisdiction of the “regular” federal courts: U.S. District Courts: original U.S. Courts of Appeals: appellate Supreme Court – appellate and original The U.S. Supreme Court is the “court of last resort”. It hears appeals from federal, state and special courts. There is no higher authority!