Warm-up (50L) Think back (or use your NB and look!) to the Constitution unit. What rights are guaranteed to people accused of crimes? What amendments guarantee those rights? What do you think “equal justice under the law” means? Do you think people in the US get it? Why or why not?

The United States Court System

Role of the Judicial branch Which article of the Constitution? Role of Courts in the US: Use law to settle disputes Equal justice for all  fair trials GOAL of Courts (what they want to do) Treat EVERY PERSON the same What rights does every accused person have? (B.O.R.)

Federal court jurisdiction (when does a case go to the federal courts, rather than the state courts?)  8 scenarios Constitution (ex: free speech – 1st amend) Federal laws (ex: kidnapping; tax evasion) Disputes between states (ex: NC sues CA) Citizens from different states Federal gov’t involved (ex: person sue fed gov’t) Foreign gov’ts & treaties Laws relating to sea (ex: crimes, accidents, etc) US Diplomats (ex: ambassador breaks US law)

Types of jurisdiction Exclusive: ONLY federal courts can hear these cases (states CANNOT) Concurrent: federal and/or state courts can hear case Original: FIRST court to hear cases Appellate: review decisions made by lower courts to check for errors

Cake of US federal courts US Supreme Court US Court of Appeals US District Court

US District Courts Purpose: hold trials, begin lawsuits Jurisdiction: original TRIAL COURTS  decide guilt/ innocence (only fed. Courts to do this) 94 US District Courts; each hears cases that happen in their district

US Court of Appeals Purpose: review decisions made in lower courts Jurisdiction: appellate 12 US Courts of Appeals w/ jurisdiction over a circuit (region/area)

Panel of 3+ judges reviews record of case Possible decisions Uphold (keep) decision of lower court Reverse (overturn) decision of lower court Remand case (send it back to lower court to be tried again) Ex: failed to admit witnesses? Evidence? New trial w/ those things Do NOT decide guilt/innocence  ONLY whether rights upheld/ law followed Decisions final unless appealed to SCOTUS

Logistics Opinion: explanation of legal thinking behind decision Set precedent for all courts w/in district for future Not law but sthng to consider Choosing Cases & Precedent Courts/ judges CANNOT just seek out stuff they want to hear  they have to wait for people to have dispute & bring case to court Decisions of highest court in jurisdiction are binding (must be followed) by ALL lower courts in that jurisdiction Which courts have to listen to SCOTUS? Why?

JUDGES & OFFICIALS Term Lengths How long? Who appoints federal judges/justices? Who has to approve? Magistrate judge: routine work in district courts (ex: search warrants, bail, prelim evidence) US Attorney: gov’t prosecutor (try to prove someone is guilty of sthng) US Marshal: makes arrests, collects fines, protects jurors, etc.