1. The Structure of the Federal Court System
Part A: Federal Court Pyramid!
Things to consider:
1. Federal or State
Subject matter
Parties involved
2. Original or appellate jurisdiction
3. Eliminate options
Specialty Courts:
US Claims Court, Bankruptcy Court, Tax Court (Courts of original jurisdiction)
Federal District Court
(Court of original jurisdiction)
Federal Appeals Court
(Court of appellate jurisdiction)
Supreme Court
(Court of last resort; decides constitutional issues)

2. Which court would each scenario likely fall under?
Where Would The Case Go????
Which court would each scenario likely fall under?
Study the chart of the federal court system
Read each sample court case
After each case:
Write which court case should be assigned
State/Local (not federal)
Federal District Court
Specialty Courts (on chart)
U.S. Court of Appeals
U.S. Supreme Court
Write your reason for your answer

3. Answer: (B) Federal District Court
1. Employees of Chester Carpet Company sued their employer for failing to make pension contributions as required by the Federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act.
Answer: (B) Federal District Court
Reason: Subject matter relates to federal law

4. Answer: (D) U.S. Appeals Court!
2. Thomas was convicted in a Federal District Court for kidnapping a 23-year- old woman. He decided to appeal the court ruling.
Answer: (D) U.S. Appeals Court!
Reason: Next step up from Federal District Court

5. Answer: (A) State Appeals Court
3. Joe was tried and convicted of burglary in a municipal court but appealed the decision challenging the validity of eyewitness accounts.
Answer: (A) State Appeals Court
Reason: Issue heard at municipal level (not a federal case)

6. Answer: (A) State Supreme Court Reason: Next higher authority
4. The state appeals court refused to overturn Alex Trebek’s murder conviction. He decided to appeal to a higher court based on new DNA evidence.
Answer: (A) State Supreme Court
Reason: Next higher authority

7. Answer: (B) Federal District Court
5. Francois is being deported for lack of a proper visa. He sues the Department of Immigration.
Answer: (B) Federal District Court
Reason: Parties involved (federal agency)

8. Answer: (A) State court Reason: Not a federal issue
6. Milton used to work for a local software engineering firm. He believes he is owed a Christmas bonus that he was promised and never received. Milton is suing his former employer for back pay.
Answer: (A) State court
Reason: Not a federal issue

9. Answer: (B) Federal District Court
7. Mr. Smith believes he was not hired by a fast food restaurant because of his age. He sues the restaurant under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967.
Answer: (B) Federal District Court
Reason: Subject matter (involves a federal issue)

10. 8. Joe Running Eagle represents a tribe of Native Americans who were denied mineral rights for their reservation, as provided in an agreement with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. He sues for compensation in the name of the tribe.
Answer: (B) U.S. Federal District Court OR (C) U.S. Court of Claims
Reason: Subject matter (federal issue); Court of Claims purpose is to allow citizens to file claims for money against federal government

11. Answer: (E) U.S. Supreme Court Reason: Court of last resort!
9. Harriet felt she was discriminated against on an application for a federal civil service test. She sued the U.S. Civil Service Commission in a federal district court but lost her case. After losing a second time in federal appeals court, she has decided to appeal again.
Answer: (E) U.S. Supreme Court
Reason: Court of last resort!

12. Answer: (A) Municipal or state courts
10. Jerry and his family believe they were served tainted food at a nearby restaurant. They sue the owner of the restaurant.
Answer: (A) Municipal or state courts
Reason: Local restaurant; not a federal issue

13. Answer: (B) Federal District Court
11. The Justice Department brought suit against several supermarket chains for conspiracy to fix prices of grocery and meat products.
Answer: (B) Federal District Court
Reason: Parties involved (Justice Department is a federal agency)

14. Answer: (B) Federal District Court
12. Arnold sued several manufacturers of asbestos, claiming that he had contracted asbestosis as a result of direct exposure to their products.
Answer: (B) Federal District Court
Reason: Subject matter (involves federal legislation); parties involved (individuals from several states)

15. 13. Bernice wishes to challenge the Internal Revenue Service’s disallowance of a tax deduction she considers legitimate.
Answer(s): (C) Tax Court; (C) U.S. Court of Claims; (B) Federal District Court
Reason(s): Parties involved (IRS); Tax Court if unpaid; Court of Claims if paid and suing for damages

16. Answer: (B) Federal District Court
14. The Attorney General of California initiated a class action suit against a leading woolen manufacturer, charging the company with a conspiracy to fix prices of certain blankets and items of clothing. This was initiated under the Federal Trade Commission.
Answer: (B) Federal District Court
Reason: Subject matter (federal issue)

17. 15. A group of farmers seek damages because they claim that the Army Corps of Engineers built structures in rivers that caused floods on their property which resulted in a reduced crop harvest and loss of income.
Answer: (C) US Court of Claims; (B) Federal District Court
Reason: Parties involved (Army Corps of Engineers); Claims Court to seek money from federal government

18. Questions to consider…
Why does the United States need federal courts?
Why does the United States need appellate courts?
Why does the United States need a Supreme court?