Judicial Branch Chapter 11 and 12 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXj_JoBzrQA
Purpose of Judicial Branch Interpret Laws Passed by Congress Assure Laws That are Passed are Constitutional Established under Article III of Constitution Congress given Authority to Establish all “Inferior” Federal Courts
Adversarial vs Inquistional U.S. has a Adversarial legal system Contest between opposing sides Jury determines facts Europe uses the inquisitional system Judges serve as the jury
Organization of Federal Courts Benton East St. Louis (General Trial Courts)
Federal Court Structure
Illinois Divided into 3 “Zones”
CQ11-02.1
Qualifications for Federal Judges There are None! Selection http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_federal_judges_appointed_by_Barack_Obama Term Salary – Chief $255,500, Associate $244, 400 (Appellate 85%, District 80%) Lifetime Full Pension (Same as salary!) Support Personnel
Organization of State Courts Terms Illinois Supreme Court 10 yrs All State judges are elected by the people! Appellate Courts (Mt. Vernon) 10 yrs http://www.state.il.us/court/circuitcourt/circuitmap/2nd.asp Circuit Judge – 6 yrs Associate – 4 yrs Circuit Courts (Trial Courts) Benton
What is “Judicial Review?” Used to determine Constitutionality of all Laws! Marbury vs Madison https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TVkeRUvX_U Jurisdiction Legal Authority of the Court
U.S. Supreme Court “Highest Court of the Land” Jurisdiction Original Appellate 9 Justices (Select a Chief Justice) Terms/Salaries/ Qualifications http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Unyswl36q8w
Information About the Supreme Court 9 Supreme Court Justices – life term 8,000 cases are referred to the court, hear about 80 a year Must have a writ of certiori for the court to consider case (99% denied!) 1st Monday in October – end of June Most cases come from lower Federal courts http://www.supremecourt.gov/
Supreme Court (cont.) After a case is heard, court makes a decision – 4 options: 1. Unanimous Decision 2. Majority Opinion 3. Dissenting Opinion 4. Concurring Opinion Final decision results in a Precedent, which all other lower courts must follow!