Unit 6, Lesson 2: How Federal Courts Are Organized Agenda: ORCA Go over Judicial Branch in a flash Lesson 2 outline Discuss court organization Review Outcome: Students will be able to explain the jurisdictions of the three types of courts.
Unit 6, Lesson 2: How Federal Courts Are Organized Agenda: ORCA 2. Discuss lesson 2 3. Go over lesson 2 review questions 4. Lesson 3 Outcome: Students will be able to explain the jurisdictions of the three types of courts.
Use Civics Today p. 196-199 to complete your lesson 2 outilne Use Civics Today p. 196-199 to complete your lesson 2 outilne. Map of districts is on p. 193. When you are finished, complete your lesson 2 review questions.
U.S. District Courts Most federal cases are handled in the 94 U.S. district courts District courts are the federal courts where trials are held and lawsuits begin Every state has at least one district court District courts have original jurisdiction, authority to hear the case for the first time District courts hear witnesses and juries hear cases and reach verdicts
U.S. Court of Appeals A large % of people who lose their cases in a district court appeal the decision Appeals go to a U.S. court of appeals, these courts review the decisions made in the district court Appeals courts have appellate jurisdiction Lawyers usually appeal when they think the judge in their case applied the law incorrectly, used the wrong procedures, or if new evidence turns up There are 12 US Courts of appeals that each cover a district , 13th court deals with special cases like international trade
U.S. Court of Appeals Appeals courts DO NOT hold trials Appeals courts may decide an appeal in one of three ways 1- uphold the original decision 2- reverse that decision 3- remand the case back to the lower court to be tried again A panel of typically 3 judges make their decision by majority vote One of the judges who decided the case writes the “opinion” of the court explaining why they made their decision Opinion sets a precedent, sets a model for future cases Appeals judges must write the Court’s opinion
Federal Judges According to the Constitution the President appoints judges, must be approved by the Senate The Constitution provides no qualifications for judges; what should the President look for? Judges are appointed for life When picking judges for the district court the President usually asks the Senators from the candidates state what they think, “Senatorial courtesy” Judges are assisted by magistrates, the US attorneys office, and the US marshals “Who do you think I should nominate?”
Lesson 2 Review Questions