The United States Constitution

Article III Every Hour in America there are: 2 murders 2 drunk driving deaths 28 rapes 58 robberies (with weapon) 67 attacks on women by someone they know 103 neglected or abusive acts toward children

Article III Every Hour in America there are: 157 stalkings 163 violent attacks on 12-17 year olds in school 349 burglaries (no weapon) 523 assaults 1,540 thefts

Article III Judicial Branch (Court System) Main Job: Interpret Laws The Constitution only established the Supreme Court. Congress established the lower courts which are district courts and appellate courts.

Article III District courts: Most cases begin in district courts. If a party disagrees with the verdict (or decision of the judge and jury), they can appeal it and ask that the decision be reviewed by a higher court. Appellate Courts: Also known as the court of appeals. Appellate court judges review decisions of district courts to decide whether they applied the laws correctly.

Article III 94 district courts--The 94 United States district courts are the general trial courts of the United States federal court system. Both civil and criminal cases are filed in the district court, which is a court of law, equity, and admiralty. There is a United States bankruptcy court associated with each United States district court. Each federal judicial district has at least one courthouse, and many districts have more than one. Holds trials-district court 13 court of appeals--The United States courts of appeals (or circuit courts) are the intermediate appellate courts of the United States federal court system. A court of appeals decides appeals from the district courts within its federal judicial circuit, 1 supreme court--The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest judicial body in the United States, and leads the federal judiciary. It consists of the Chief Justice of the United States and eight Associate Justices, who are nominated by the President and confirmed with the "advice and consent" (majority vote) of the Senate.

13 court of appeals….d c circuit and federal circuit 6th circuit is in Cincinnati

Article III The Supreme Court is the highest court in the nation. Judgment of the Supreme Court is final. The court is made up of a chief justice and 8 associate justices The Supreme Court is primarily an appellate court, but it has original jurisdiction over a small range of cases.[3] The Supreme Court is sometimes informally referred to as the High Court The Chief Justice of the United States is the head of the United States federal court system (the judicial branch of the federal government of the United States) and the chief judge of the Supreme Court of the United States. He is one of nine Supreme Court justices; the other eight are the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States. Although commonly done, it is incorrect to use the term "Chief Justice of the Supreme Court." The first Chief Justice was John Jay. The seventeenth and current Chief Justice is John G. Roberts, Jr., who was nominated by President George W. Bush and took office on September 29, 2005 upon his confirmation by the Senate on a vote of 78-22 for confirmation. The salary of the Chief Justice is set by Congress, and it is slightly higher than that of the Associate Justices. As of 2008, it is $217,400 per year.

Article III The President appoints justices and they serve for life (until they resign, retire or die). They can also be impeached and removed from office. The Supreme Court receives and disposes of about 5,000 cases each year, most by a brief decision that the subject matter is either not proper or not of sufficient importance to warrant review by the full court. Each year the court decides about 100 cases of great national importance and interest.

Article III The most important power of the Supreme Court is the power to decide what the Constitution means. It has the right to declare whether acts of the President or laws passed by Congress are unconstitutional, that is, contrary to what is permitted by the US Constitution.

Judicial Process-Answer TRUE or FALSE for each statement. Guess 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Judicial Process-Answer TRUE or FALSE for each statement. Criminal laws are intended to prevent people from harming each other or each other’s property. Civil laws cover disputes between people or between the government and its citizens. A judge can impose any punishment he or she feels fits the crime. Felonies are more serious than misdemeanors. A person can plead guilty to a crime and avoid being sent to trial. Convicted persons who believe their case was not handled fairly may appeal to a district court.

Civil Law Covers disputes between people or between the government and citizens Usually involve disputes over rights, property or agreements Examples: breach of contract (snow plowing) Family disputes- divorce or child custody If less than $5000 – handled in small claims court – don’t need a lawyer

Criminal Law Intended to prevent people from harming each other or each other’s property 3 major types: Crimes against persons Usually violent The victim either injured or killed Examples: murder, rape, kidnapping Crimes against property More common Examples: burglary, arson, vandalism Victimless crimes Examples: illegal drug use and gambling Mandatory sentence- most states classify crimes according to their severity and set appropriate penalties Some states have created mandatory sentences for certain types of crimes- the judge must impose whatever punishment the law directs Misdemeanors – cases are usually handled in minor courts. Suspects who have been given tickets (parking tickets) requiring payment of a fine or summonses (speeding) are required to appear in court on a certain date to answer the charge Felonies

Felonies are tried in district or circuit courts During a trial, witnesses may testify for or against the defendant. Convicted persons who believe their case was not handled fairly may appeal to appeals courts. Increasingly frequently, cases do not go to trial. Instead the suspect accepts a plea bargain and pleads guilty to a lesser charge. The overburdened court system is a major reason for the increase in plea bargaining.

Checks and Balances A system of checks and balances safeguards against abuse of power Each branch of government has the power to check, or limit, the actions of the other two. This arrangement guarantees that no branch of government will become too powerful Page 257 – the chart describes the specific checks each branch has on the other two

Checks and Balances Create a visual that shows how the powers of government are divided and how they use the system of checks and balances to limit the power among the three branches. Items to include: Name each branch of government Identify the branches main job List ways that each branch controls the power of the other two branches. (2 or more)