[ 7.3 ] The Inferior Courts and the Special Courts

[ 7.3 ] The Inferior Courts and the Special Courts Learning Objectives Describe the structure and jurisdiction of the federal district courts, the federal courts of appeals, and other constitutional courts. Contrast the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces and the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Explain how a citizen may sue the United States government in the Court of Federal Claims. Examine the roles of the territorial courts and those of the District of Columbia courts. Explain what types of cases are brought to the Tax Court.

[ 7.3 ] The Inferior Courts and the Special Courts Key Terms criminal case civil case docket record, courts-martial civilian tribunal, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. redress

The Structure and Role of the Federal District Courts You know that the particular meaning of a word often depends on the context—the setting—in which it is used. Thus, pitch can be either a baseball term or a musical term; it can also refer to setting up a tent or to a high-pressure sales talk. The word inferior also has various meanings. Here, it describes the lower federal courts, those courts created by an act of Congress to function beneath the Supreme Court. The inferior courts handle nearly all of the cases tried in the federal courts.

Federal Judicial Districts and Judges Courts Focused on Terrorism The Structure and Role of the Federal District Courts Federal Judicial Districts and Judges Courts Focused on Terrorism District Court Jurisdiction District Court Cases Final Decisions

The Structure and Role of the Federal District Courts Changes in the United States population are mirrored by changes in the federal district courts. Analyze Charts Why does a State name no longer always suffice as a district court name?

The Structure and Role of the Federal District Courts There were 94 federal district courts in 2013. A biannual survey examines if new district judgeships are needed. Analyze Maps What do the States with multiple districts have in common?

The Structure and Role of the Federal District Courts FISA court activities are generally not shared with the public. Analyze Political Cartoons What is implied about how the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court affects our civil liberties?

The Structure and Role of the Federal Courts of Appeals The courts of appeals were created by Congress in 1891. They were established as “gatekeepers” to relieve the Supreme Court of much of the burden of hearing appeals from the decisions of the district courts. Those appeals had become so numerous that the High Court was more than three years behind on its docket—its list of cases to be heard.

Appellate Court Judges Circuit-Based Appellate Court Jurisdiction The Structure and Role of the Federal Courts of Appeals Appellate Court Judges Circuit-Based Appellate Court Jurisdiction Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit Jurisdiction An Important Role

The Structure and Role of the Federal Courts of Appeals Cases originating in various courts can be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Analyze Charts In which courts do you suppose the largest number of cases originate?

The Structure and Role of the Federal Courts of Appeals Before his nomination to the Supreme Court in 1990, Justice Clarence Thomas sat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

The Court of International Trade Congress has established one other Article III court, the Court of International Trade. Often called the Trade Court, this body was originally created in 1890, and was restructured as a constitutional court in 1980.

The Court of International Trade The U.S. Court of International Trade serves the important function of resolving disputes that cross national borders and may affect crucial economic opportunities, both here and abroad.

Military Justice—Special Courts and Commissions Recall, the national court system is made up of two quite distinct types of federal courts. They are (1) the constitutional courts, sometimes called the regular or Article III courts, already discussed, and (2) the special courts, also known as the legislative or Article I courts.

Military Justice—Special Courts and Commissions The Purpose of Military Courts The Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces The Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Military Commissions

Military Justice—Special Courts and Commissions U.S. military courts, or courts-martial, employ lawyers and judges to try military personnel for crimes such as theft and assault, as well as for military offenses like desertion.

Other Special Courts The other special courts also have very narrow jurisdictions. They include the Court of Federal Claims, the territorial courts, the District of Columbia courts, and the U.S. Tax Court.

The Court of Federal Claims Methods of Compensation Other Special Courts The Court of Federal Claims Methods of Compensation The Territorial Courts The District of Columbia Courts The United States Tax Court

Other Special Courts In 2013, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Maryland’s DNA Collection Act.Analyze Political Cartoons What is the relationship between the long arm of the law and Lady Liberty?

Quiz: The Structure and Role of the Federal District Courts It was announced today that the district attorney obtained an indictment from the grand jury in Joe Brown v. United States. How do you know this criminal case is being tried in a federal district court? A. These courts are the only federal courts that use grand juries to indict defendants. B. District attorneys are not involved in civil cases, but they do work on criminal cases in the federal district court system. C. The indictment would be top secret if any other type of federal courts were involved. D. One cannot make this determination from the information that is provided.

Quiz: The Structure and Role of the Federal District Courts It was announced today that the district attorney obtained an indictment from the grand jury in Joe Brown v. United States. How do you know this criminal case is being tried in a federal district court? A. These courts are the only federal courts that use grand juries to indict defendants. B. District attorneys are not involved in civil cases, but they do work on criminal cases in the federal district court system. C. The indictment would be top secret if any other type of federal courts were involved. D. One cannot make this determination from the information that is provided.

A. right to impartial jury trial Quiz: The Structure and Role of the Federal Courts of Appeals Which basic principle regarding citizens' right to a fair trial is served by the appellate system? A. right to impartial jury trial B. right to assistance of legal counsel C. right to obtain witnesses D. right to speedy trial

A. right to impartial jury trial Quiz: The Structure and Role of the Federal Courts of Appeals Which basic principle regarding citizens' right to a fair trial is served by the appellate system? A. right to impartial jury trial B. right to assistance of legal counsel C. right to obtain witnesses D. right to speedy trial

Quiz: The Court of International Trade When a verdict from the Court of International Trade is appealed, which court hears the case? A. the Supreme Court B. the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit C. the court of appeals to which the jurisdiction of the original trial site is assigned D. the Court of Federal Claims

Quiz: The Court of International Trade When a verdict from the Court of International Trade is appealed, which court hears the case? A. the Supreme Court B. the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit C. the court of appeals to which the jurisdiction of the original trial site is assigned D. the Court of Federal Claims

Quiz: Military Justice—Special Courts and Commissions Which of these cases could end up in the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims? A. An army officer is accused of submitting several thousand dollars of fraudulent travel vouchers for reimbursement. B. The children of a naval officer claim burial benefits for their mother, who remarried after the death of their father. C. A former Green Beret sues another veteran for slander. D. An illegal alien is arrested on charges of making terrorist threats to a member of the Marine Corps.

Quiz: Military Justice—Special Courts and Commissions Which of these cases could end up in the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims? A. An army officer is accused of submitting several thousand dollars of fraudulent travel vouchers for reimbursement. B. The children of a naval officer claim burial benefits for their mother, who remarried after the death of their father. C. A former Green Beret sues another veteran for slander. D. An illegal alien is arrested on charges of making terrorist threats to a member of the Marine Corps.

Quiz: Other Special Courts Which two special courts have basically the same role? A. the Court of Federal Claims and the United States Tax Court B. the Territorial Court of Guam and the District of Columbia Courts C. the District of Columbia Courts and the Court of Federal Claims D. the United States Tax Court and the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims

Quiz: Other Special Courts Which two special courts have basically the same role? A. the Court of Federal Claims and the United States Tax Court B. the Territorial Court of Guam and the District of Columbia Courts C. the District of Columbia Courts and the Court of Federal Claims D. the United States Tax Court and the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims