1. Judicial Branch

2. Origin of Law Case law: Court decisions that inform judicial ruling Constitutional Law: Outline the structure of the American government (or state) Statutes: Laws made by the national or state government

3. Jurisdiction The authority to hear certain cases is called jurisdiction of the court. – Concurrent Jurisdiction: When both federal and state courts have jurisdiction. – Appellate Jurisdiction: The power to review cases already decided in lower court – Limited Jurisdiction: The power to hear only certain kinds of cases (tax cases)

4. Types of Courts Federal Courts – Supreme Court & Inferior Federal courts) – Established by Congress. State Courts – Each state has it’s own courts system whose power comes from state constitution and laws.

5. Federal Courts

6. The Federal Courts Three layers of authority in the federal court system: 1.The Supreme Court 2.Thirteen Courts of Appeals and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. 3.U.S. District Courts and Specialized Federal Courts

7. District Courts 94 courts Lowest level of the federal judicial system Trial courts for both criminal/civil federal cases District Courts have original jurisdiction to hear cases involving – Constitutional Law – Cases Involving citizens of different states

8. District Courts

9. Appeals If a person who loses a case in a trial court wishes to appeal a decision, they may take the case to a court with appellate jurisdiction. Meaning a party may appeal a case from a district court to a Court of Appeals

10. Court of Appeals 13 US Courts of Appeals Each covers a circuit: a geographic area containing several district courts Appeals Court reviews the details of the case. – DOESN’T HOLD TRIALS – DOESN’T HOLD TRIALS! If a mistake was found the case will be send back to the district court for a new trial

11. District Courts Court of Appeals

12. Appeals Finally, those who are unhappy with the verdict from a Court of Appeals, may appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court

13. U.S. Supreme Court Highest court in the land Receives thousands of appeals every year but only hears a small percentage of them

14. s District Courts Court of Appeals Supreme Court