The Federal Court System
District Courts The federal district courts where trials are held and lawsuits begin Original Jurisdiction: hear cases for the first time Responsibilities: Determining the facts of the case Hold trials for civil and criminal federal cases Decide guilt or innocence Only courts where witnesses testify, juries hear cases, reach verdicts
District Courts Number: Each state has at least one Total #: NC – 12/1T; US – 94 NC is divided into 3 geographical districts (eastern, middle, western)
EASTERN
MIDDLE
WESTERN
District Courts Types of cases: federal criminal and civil cases Each district court has at least one judge President appoints - Senate approves Salary: $205,100 Length of term: LIFE Only level that has trials
District Courts Magistrate: (2) US Attorney: Marshal: (2) Others: (2) Issues court orders Hears preliminary evidence Decides bail Hears minor cases US Attorney: Gov’t lawyers Marshal: (2) Makes arrest Collects fines Takes convicted people to prison Protects jurors Keeps order Serves legal papers Others: (2) Clerks, secretaries, court reporters, probation officers
Appeals Courts Review decisions made in lower district courts Appellate jurisdiction: Authority to hear a case appealed from a lower court
Appeals Courts Number: 12 Types of cases heard: Cases where an appeal was made from a decision in a district court Judges: 6 -27 in each appeals court President appoints; Senate approves Salary: $217,600 Length of term: Life
Appeals Court Appeals courts do not hold trials Possible rulings: Uphold the original decision (affirm) Reverse/overturn Remand the case to the lower court
Supreme Court Highest court in the country Jurisdiction: Original and Appellate 9 Justices 1 Chief Justice, 8 Associate Justices President appoints; Senate approves Salary: AS - $251,800 , CJ - $263,300 Length of term: Life
Supreme Court Cases heard: Decide whether laws are constitutional Cases on appeal Cases involving Constitution Decide whether laws are constitutional JUDICIAL REVIEW
Supreme Court POWERS: Judicial Review Interpret meaning of laws
Supreme Court Checks on power: Change law to fit the Constitution Change the Constitution to fit the law President appoints judges, Senate approves Congress can impeach and remove judges from office Can only rule in cases that come to it
“Juris-what?”*** Jurisdiction- the authority of a certain court to hear a case Four Types: Original: hears the case first Appellate (appeals): hears case after it has been heard in a lower court and appealed Concurrent jurisdiction: either state or federal courts could try the case Exclusive jurisdiction: only one court can hear the case