The Organization of The Federal Courts Chapter 10 Section 2

Key Terms Courts of Appeals Courts of Appeals Circuit Court Circuit Court

The District Courts 94 district courts scattered throughout the U.S. 94 district courts scattered throughout the U.S. Handle 300,000 cases Handle 300,000 cases Each state has at least one Each state has at least one Number of judges ranges from 1 to 28 Number of judges ranges from 1 to 28

The District Courts Witnesses are called Witnesses are called Jury normally decides Jury normally decides One judge directs the proceedings One judge directs the proceedings

The Court of Appeals Court of Appeals- handles appeals from the federal district courts Court of Appeals- handles appeals from the federal district courts Take appeals from a group of district courts Take appeals from a group of district courts Circuit courts-the court of Appeals is often called this Circuit courts-the court of Appeals is often called this

The Court of Appeals A 13 th circuit court of appeals has jurisdiction over a certain area of appeals from federal courts A 13 th circuit court of appeals has jurisdiction over a certain area of appeals from federal courts There are 13 circuit courts There are 13 circuit courts Has no jury, no witnesses, does not examine evidence Has no jury, no witnesses, does not examine evidence

The Court of Appeals Lawyers for the defendant and the plaintiff or prosecution make arguments to a 3 judge panel Lawyers for the defendant and the plaintiff or prosecution make arguments to a 3 judge panel Judges decide to affirm a lower court ruling Judges decide to affirm a lower court ruling Or reverse it Or reverse it Not concerned with guilt or innocence Not concerned with guilt or innocence Only concerned was the first trial fair Only concerned was the first trial fair

The Supreme Court Highest court in the land Highest court in the land Serves as final court of appeals for both state and federal Serves as final court of appeals for both state and federal Does have original jurisdiction over special cases Does have original jurisdiction over special cases

The Supreme Court Case involving representatives of foreign governments Case involving representatives of foreign governments disputes between state governments disputes between state governments

The Supreme Court Many additional federal courts Many additional federal courts Court of Claims Court of Claims Court of Customs and Patent Appeals Court of Customs and Patent Appeals Tax Court Tax Court Each was established by Congress for a special purpose Each was established by Congress for a special purpose Appeals from these go directly to Supreme Court Appeals from these go directly to Supreme Court

Federal Court Judges Federal judges do the work of the Judicial Branch Federal judges do the work of the Judicial Branch Role is different from a legislator Role is different from a legislator Legislator is open to influence Legislator is open to influence Citizen groups Citizen groups President President Other legislators Other legislators

Federal Court Judges Judge must be impartial Judge must be impartial Legislators work to solve broad problems Legislators work to solve broad problems Judge works on a specific problem Judge works on a specific problem Judges help define the legislators work Judges help define the legislators work

Federal Court Judges All federal judges are appointed All federal judges are appointed Approved by the Senate Approved by the Senate Serve life terms Serve life terms Only can be removed by impeachment Only can be removed by impeachment

Federal Court Judges Federal judges shoulder greater responsibility Federal judges shoulder greater responsibility Must balance rights of individual with interests of the nation Must balance rights of individual with interests of the nation Forced to make what seems to be a fair decision Forced to make what seems to be a fair decision

Federal Court Judges Nine Supreme Court Judges have the most responsibility Nine Supreme Court Judges have the most responsibility Entire nation can wait for their decision Entire nation can wait for their decision Although it is one specific case Although it is one specific case Decisions could affect the whole nation Decisions could affect the whole nation