1. Federal Court System

2. Basic Vocabulary Plaintiff One who brings a lawsuit in civil law. In criminal law, the plaintiff is called the prosecutor. Defendant One who must make answer to the lawsuit in civil law. In criminal law, the one who must answer a criminal charge.

3. Basic Vocabulary Criminal Law: Offenses against all of society. Called crimes. Attorneys that work for the government (society) bring charges and try the accused—called prosecutors. For felonies, a grand jury might issue an indictment (formal charges.) Civil Law: Offenses against individuals or groups. Called torts or violations of civil liberties. Plaintiff (individual/group) brings the lawsuit against the defendant.

4. Basic Vocabulary Jurisdiction: A court’s authority to hear a certain type of case. Appeal: To take a case to a higher court for review. Types of Jurisdiction: 1. Exclusive: only feds. 2. Concurrent: feds & st. 3. Original: trial court 4. Appellate: review court

5. Article III of the Constitution Establishes the Supreme Court. Allows Congress to establish inferior courts.

6. 3 Levels Supreme (created by Const.) Appellate (created by Cg.) District (created by Cg.)

7. U.S. District Courts Original Jurisdiction Trial Courts Witnesses testimony Evidence Jury decides guilty or not guilty. There are 94 of them. Some states only have 1 Some states have several. –TX has 4! 89 throughout the 50 states 1 in D.C. 1 in Puerto Rico

9. Circuit Appellate Courts Appellate jurisdiction. Only review a case to make sure that due process was served. No Trial. Does not decide guilt or innocence. There are 12 circuits 11 numbered 1 for D.C.

11. Supreme Court Original & Appellate Jurisdiction Reviews cases. Does not decide guilt or innocence in appellate cases. There is 1, in Wash., D.C.

13. Special/Legislative Courts (created by Cg.) 123 4 56 1.Bankruptcy Court: Civil only. 2.Territorial Courts: for the nation’s territories. Criminal & Civil.—part of the 94 district courts. 3.U.S. Tax Court: handles tax disputes. Civil only. 4.U.S. Court of Federal Claims: if you sue the federal government. Civil suits only. 5.U.S. Court of International Trade: Civil only. 6.U.S. Court of Veteran Appeals: Civil only. United States Court of Federal Claims United States Court of International Trade United States Court of Veterans Appeals United States District Courts --89 in 50 states --1 in D.C. --1 in Puerto Rico --3 Territorial Courts Guam, Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands United States Tax Court (civil cases only) United States Bankruptcy Courts (unit of each District Court)

14. Special Courts for the Military Handles criminal & civil appeals for all forces. Usually has the last say. Handles criminal & civil appeals for each branch—Navy, Army, Marine Corps, National Guard, and Air Force. Handles criminal & civil cases for each branch—Navy, Army, Marine Corps, National Guard, and Air Force. All military personnel—JAG. United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces Courts of Criminal Appeals for the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard Courts Martial

15. Appeals Process