HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON1 CIVICS IN PRACTICE HOLT Chapter 7 The Judicial Branch Section 1:Equal Justice Under the Law Equal Justice Under the LawEqual Justice Under the Law Section 2:The Federal Court System The Federal Court SystemThe Federal Court System Section 3:The Supreme Court The Supreme CourtThe Supreme Court

CIVICS IN PRACTICE HOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON2 The Main Idea The rights of all U.S. citizens are protected by laws and the courts. Reading Focus   In what ways is the United States a nation of laws?   What are the four sources of law in the United States?   What roles do the courts play in the United States? Section 1:Equal Justice Under the Law

CIVICS IN PRACTICE HOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON3 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

CIVICS IN PRACTICE HOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON4 Criminal and Civil Law  Criminal Law – the group of laws that define what acts are crimes.  Crime – any behavior that is illegal because society, through its government, considers the behavior harmful to society  Civil Law – the group of laws that refer to disputes between people.  Tort – civil wrong committed by one person against another

CIVICS IN PRACTICE HOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON5 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

CIVICS IN PRACTICE HOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON6 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

CIVICS IN PRACTICE HOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON7 ensure equal justice for all provide fair public trials SECTION 1 The Roles that Courts Play Question: What roles do the courts play in the United States?

CIVICS IN PRACTICE HOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON8 The Main Idea The federal court system consists of the three levels of courts, each of which has specific duties. Reading Focus   What is the purpose of the U.S. district courts?   How are the U.S. courts of appeals different from the district courts?   What is the role of the Supreme Court? Section 2:The Federal Court System

CIVICS IN PRACTICE HOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON9 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

CIVICS IN PRACTICE HOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON10 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

CIVICS IN PRACTICE HOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON11 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

CIVICS IN PRACTICE HOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON12 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

CIVICS IN PRACTICE HOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON13 Question: Which cases are tried in federal courts? SECTION 2 Federal Court Cases 1. constitutional violations 2. U.S. treaty violations 3. congressional law violations 4. cases between a foreign government and a U.S. citizen or the government 5. crimes committed on U.S. ships at sea 6. cases involving U.S. ambassadors and consuls who broke laws in their stationed countries 7. crimes committed on certain types of federal property 8. disagreements between states or citizens of different states

CIVICS IN PRACTICE HOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON14 The Main Idea The Supreme Court hears appeals, reviews laws, and strongly influences American society. Reading Focus   What is the power of the judicial review?   What are the constitutional checks on the Supreme Court’s powers?   How has the Supreme Court strengthened constitutional rights? Section 3:The Supreme Court

CIVICS IN PRACTICE HOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON15 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

CIVICS IN PRACTICE HOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON16 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

CIVICS IN PRACTICE HOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON17 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

CIVICS IN PRACTICE HOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON18 Question: How has judicial review strengthened the Supreme Court’s power, and how does Congress limit this power? SECTION 3 Judicial Review Congress Limit Strengthen It asserted the Court’s power to declare laws of Congress and presidential acts unconstitutional. Congress may pass a similar law abiding by the Constitution or may try to amend the Constitution.

CIVICS IN PRACTICE HOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON19 Chapter 7 Wrap-Up 1.Describe the types of laws that exist in the United States. 2.What services do U.S. courts provide? 3.Which cases are tried in federal courts? 4.How is the federal court system organized? 5.How are appointments made to the Supreme Court, and how long do justices serve? 6.How does the Supreme Court limit Congress’s power, and how does Congress reassert it? 1.Describe the types of laws that exist in the United States. 2.What services do U.S. courts provide? 3.Which cases are tried in federal courts? 4.How is the federal court system organized? 5.How are appointments made to the Supreme Court, and how long do justices serve? 6.How does the Supreme Court limit Congress’s power, and how does Congress reassert it?