A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON1 Chapter 7 The Judicial Branch Section 1:Equal Justice Under the Law Section 2:The Federal Court System Section 3:The Supreme Court
A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON2 Chapter 7 OBJECTIVES How does majority rule affect the making of laws, and why is obeying laws important? What are the four types of U.S. laws? What roles do the courts play in the United States? Section 1:Equal Justice Under the Law
A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON3 Chapter 7 Majority rule affects the making of laws. Laws usually reflect the opinion of the majority. Laws are passed for the good of all citizens. Good citizenship involves abiding by the laws. Without laws, anarchy could develop. Section 1:Equal Justice Under the Law
A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON4 Chapter 7 Four types of U.S. laws: Statutory law—passed by lawmaking bodies Common law—judges’ decisions based on common sense, experience, and practice Administrative law—created by government agencies Constitutional law—based on the Constitution and its interpretation by the Court Section 1:Equal Justice Under the Law
A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON5 Chapter 7 Role of the Courts in the United States Use law to settle disputes Assure equal justice for all through fair trials Section 1:Equal Justice Under the Law
A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON6 Chapter 7 OBJECTIVES Which cases are tried in the federal courts? How are federal courts organized? What is the Supreme Court’s role in the judicial system? Section 2:The Federal Court System
A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON7 Chapter 7 Cases tried in the federal courts: Cases involving people charged with disobeying the Constitution, violating a U.S. treaty, or breaking laws passed by Congress Charges brought by a foreign country against the United States or its citizens Crimes committed on U.S. ships at sea Section 2:The Federal Court System
A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON8 Chapter 7 Cases tried in the federal courts: (continued) Ambassadors and consuls charged with breaking laws in a foreign country Crimes committed on certain federal properties Disagreements between the states Lawsuits between citizens of different states Section 2:The Federal Court System
A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON9 Chapter 7 Organization of Federal Courts Ninety-four district courts—at base of system; jury trials held here Courts of Appeal—review district court cases; 12 courts of appeal cover circuits; panels of judges make the decisions U.S. Supreme Court—highest court in the land; an appeals court; decisions are final Section 2:The Federal Court System
A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON10 Chapter 7 Role of the Supreme Court Reviews cases from lower federal courts and state courts Constitutional jurisdiction over: cases involving diplomatic representatives from other countries disputes between states disputes between states and federal government Section 2:The Federal Court System
A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON11 Chapter 7 OBJECTIVES What is the process through which cases are tried in the Supreme Court? How do justices get appointed to the Supreme Court, and how long do they serve? How has judicial review strengthened the Court’s power, and how does Congress limit this power? Section 3:The Supreme Court
A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON12 Chapter 7 Process through which cases are tried in the Supreme Court: Thousands of cases are appealed to the Court each year. One hundred to 200 cases are selected for the docket. Selected cases contain significant public interest or questions. Four out of nine justices must vote to hear a case. Previous verdicts stand for rejected cases. Section 3:The Supreme Court
A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON13 Chapter 7 Supreme Court justices are appointed by the president and approved by a Senate majority vote. are appointed for life but may be impeached. Section 3:The Supreme Court
A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON14 Chapter 7 Judicial review has strengthened the Court’s power. Courts decide if a law or presidential action is constitutional. Supreme Court has the ultimate power of judicial review. Section 3:The Supreme Court
A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON15 Chapter 7 Congress can limit the Court’s power. Can rewrite laws to make them constitutional Can amend the Constitution to include new laws Section 3:The Supreme Court