1. JUDICIAL BRANCH – CHARACTERISTICS OF COURTS

2. Key Terms
1. writ of certiorari – document sent to lower court by Supreme Court ordering transcript of a case
2. magistrate – court official who may set bail or deliver court orders
3. adversary system – the two opposing sides of a court case. Ex: plaintiff v. defendant (civil); prosecution v. defense (criminal)
4. majority opinion – essay explaining the reasoning behind the WINNING side of a case
5. dissenting opinion – essay explaining the reasoning behind the LOSING side of a case
6. concurring opinion – additional essay written to AGREE with the winning side of a case

3. I. US District Court A. have original jurisdiction only
B. every state has at least one (94 total)
C. only level of court with jury trial
D. only court containing a magistrate

4. II. US Appeals Court A. 12 total appellate courts – 1 per circuit
B. Have appellate jurisdiction only
C. NO JURY; panel of 3 judges hears case
D. About 6 to 27 judges live in a circuit
E. Receives cases from District level
F. Est. by Congress to lighten Supreme Court load

5. III. Supreme Court A. highest court – decisions are final
B. 9 justices (one is a chief justice)
C. Appealed cases come from US Appeals court or State supreme court
D. Has both appellate and original jurisdiction (rare)
E. Hears cases of constitutional importance
F. 4 judges must agree to hear case

6. IV. Facts about courts
A. all lower federal courts established by Congress
B. federal judges appointed by Pres.
C. state judges are ELECTED