The Judicial Branch The Supreme Court and other federal courts

I. Introduction to the Judicial Branch A.The Role of the Judicial Branch: Interpret the Law –The difference between _________________________________ _________________________________ ____________________________ means is the courts responsibility –“Laws are dead letters” without interpretation

B. The Dual Court System: Federal and State Courts Responsibility Supreme Court US Federal Court of Appeals US Federal District Court PA State Supreme Court PA State Court of Appeals Superior Inferior MunicipalJustice

What is this case an example of? GDBAOYE

C. Difference Between Criminal and Civil Cases 1.Criminal cases involve the breaking of a law - Law: ___________________________________ - crossing over such a limit can _______________________________________ _______________________________________

2. Civil cases are _________________________________________ _________________________________________ - verdict can result in _________________________________________ __________________________________, depending what side you are on 3. Plaintiff v. Defense in both criminal and civil cases -Plaintiff: _______________________________________ -Defense: _______________________________

II. The Constitutional Courts A.Article III of the Constitution establishes: 1. _______________________________________ _______________________________________ 2.That the Judicial Powers of the U.S, _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________

B. Jurisdiction: ___________________________________ ___________________________________ 1.Federal Court Jurisdiction a.Constitution is specifically broken b.Federal Statutes c.Admiralty / Maritime Law 2.Litigant Jurisdiction: ______________________________________ ______________________________________ a.The U.S. or officer of the U.S. b.A Foreign Government -or citizen c. State v. State

d.Citizen of one state v. Citizen of another state 3. Types of Jurisdiction a.Exclusive: only one court, usually, has jurisdiction b.Concurrent: can go to both state or federal court c.Original: the authority to hear the case in the 1 st instance d.Appellate: authority of a court to hear a case on appeal or review the decision of a lower court –Error in lower court or question of law

III. The U.S. Supreme Court

Article Three E A F H CD I B Powers given to the Judicial branch. G

A. Jurisdiction 1.Hears most cases on appeals from: a. Federal Appellate Courts b. Federal Legislative Appellate Courts (special courts) C. State Supreme Courts 2. Caseload a. Requested to hear __________________________ b. court accepts __________________________________________ __________________________________________

B. The Role of the Supreme Court 1.) to “secure national rights” assure or protect the rights that belong to the people 2.) to guarantee uniformity Bottom Line: ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ C. U.S. Supreme Court Procedure 1. The annual session a. dates: 9 mo. period, starting the 1 st Monday in October b. Schedule: 2 weeks in session, 2 weeks recess

2. Presentation of Cases a. Schedule: Mon-Thurs b. Lawyers: already submitted briefs and judges are ready to discuss and ask questions c. Oral Arguments: 1hr each, justices interrupt and ask questions and make points 3. The Conference a. Schedule: Friday b. Private: nobody but justices, no official record c. Procedure: open discussion and debate, then vote

4. The Opinions of the Court: a. Schedule: Announced Monday b. __________________________________________ __________________________________________ c.__________________________________________ D. Jobs a.Justice - ________________________________________________ __________________________________ -background: lawyer, law professor, lower court judge -term: ___________________________________ -Associate Compensation: $213,900 -Chief Justice Compensation: $223,500 c. The U.S. Attorney: lawyer for the U.S.