1. Federal Courts
Chapter Three

2. Jurisdiction Jurisdiction: the power of a court to decide a dispute.
Geographical jurisdiction: courts are authorized to hear and decide cases within a specific geographical jurisdiction.
Subject matter jurisdiction: courts are restricted by the subject matter of the case.

3. Jurisdiction Continued…
Hierarchical jurisdiction: refers to differences in the court’s functions and responsibilities.
Original jurisdiction: a court has the authority to try a case and decide it.
Appellate jurisdiction: a court has the power to review cases that have already been decided by another court.

4. Dual Court System
The United States has 50 state courts and the District of Columbia.
The United States has a federal court system that is separate from the state system.

5. Federal Court System Supreme Court Appellate Courts District Courts
Tax Court
International Trade Court
U.S. Claims Court
Veteran’s Appeals
Military Courts

6. Basis for Federal Courts
Legal Basis:
Article III, Section 1, U.S. Constitution.
Article III of the United States Constitution establishes the judicial branch as one of the three separate and distinct branches of the federal government.
The other two are the legislative and executive branches.

7. U.S. District Courts
In the federal system, the U.S. District Courts are the federal trial courts of original jurisdiction. Federal criminal trials are held in this court.
Judges are appointed for life by the President with confirmation of the Senate.

8. U.S. Court of Appeals Originally called Circuit Court of Appeals.
Exist to relieve the Supreme Court from hearing the growing number of appeals.
Judges serve for life.
Judges are appointed by the President and are confirmed by the Senate.
Approximately 57,000 cases are filed annually.

9. The Federal Judiciary
Insert figure 3-1, page 63 here

10. Supreme Court
Composed of eight Associate Justices and one Chief Justice.
Appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
Federal judges are appointed for life.
Can only be removed from office through impeachment and conviction by Congress of "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors."
Neither the President nor Congress can reduce the salary of a federal judge.

11. “Special” Federal Courts
The Court of International Trade: hears cases involving international trade and customs issues.
The United States Court of Federal Claims: hears cases related to claims of money damages against the United States, disputes over federal contracts, unlawful "takings" of private property by the federal government, and a variety of other claims against the United States.