1. The Structure, Function, and Powers of the Judicial Branch
Sorting Out the Courts
The Structure, Function, and Powers of the Judicial Branch

2. Using the clues on the pieces, assemble the puzzles.
You should have two triangles when you are finished.
Piecing It Together

3. Puzzled Florida’s Court System Federal Court System
County Courts
Circuit Courts
District Courts of Appeal
Florida Supreme Court
U.S. Supreme Court
United States Courts of Appeals
United States District Courts
Florida’s Court System
Federal Court System

4. The Role of the Judicial Branch

5. What are the roles of the three branches of government?
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
Makes the law
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
Enforces the law
JUDICIAL BRANCH
Interprets and applies the law
Discuss the roles and distinguishing characteristics of the three branches of government. What do they do and how are they different?

6. The Role of the Judicial Branch (Courts)
The Constitution outlines our rights…
…and the courts protect our rights.
The courts also:
Review laws
Explain laws
Resolve disputes
Decide if a law challenged in the courts conflicts with the Constitution

7. The Role of Judges and Justices
Judges and Justices interpret and apply the law
Decisions have to be based on facts & law.
Constitution
Statutes
Legal reasoning
Precedent: prior cases
Higher court decisions
And more
Judges are found in trial courts and in the lower appellate courts. Justices are found in the Florida Supreme Court and U.S. Supreme Court.

8. Comparing State and Federal Courts
Two Court Systems

9. Two Court Systems: Federal and State
The judicial branch is divided into two parallel court systems:
federal courts
and state courts.
United States Supreme Court
Florida Supreme Court

10. Where do courts get their power and jurisdiction*?
United States
Constitution
The Constitution of the State of Florida
Federal courts address issues granted to them by the U.S. Constitution and federal law.
State courts deal with issues granted to them by their state constitutions and state statutes. They also handle legal issues not granted to the federal courts or denied to the states.
Definition from
What does “jurisdiction” mean?
Legal authority a court has to hear a case.

11. Jurisdiction of Courts District Courts of Appeal
Mandatory
Discretionary
Invalidity of statute or state constitutional provision
Capital Cases
Bond Validations
Public Utility Cases
Supreme Court
Express validity of statutes
Construction of Florida or US constitutions
Decisions affecting a class of constitutional or state officers
Certified Questions
Certified Conflict
Express and direct conflict
All matters not directly appealable to the Supreme Court
Final actions of state agencies
District Courts of Appeal
Felonies
Family Law Matters
Civil Cases (over $15,000)
Probate/Guardian- ship/Mental Health
Juvenile Dependency and Delinquency
Appeals from County Court
Circuit Courts
Misdemeanors
Small Claims ($5,000 or less)
Civil ($15,000 or less)
Traffic
County Courts
Certified Questions

12. Trial and Appellate Courts
What is the difference?
Trial and Appellate Courts

13. Trial Courts 1 Judge Jury Witnesses Attorneys
Plaintiff/Prosecution – Defense/Defendant
Introduction of evidence

14. The Role of the Jury
The jury listens to the evidence during a trial, decides what facts the evidence has established.
The jury decides whether a defendant is "guilty" or "not guilty" in criminal cases, and "liable" or "not liable" in civil cases.
Emphasize that the jury exists to stand between the government and the accused in order to insure a fair trial.

15. Steps of a trial What are the steps of a trial?
In your group, place the steps in the correct order.
Steps of a trial

16. Appellate Court Panel of judges No juries
Petitioner/Respondent or Appellant/Appellee
Attorneys submit briefs and present oral arguments on legal issues; no witnesses or presentation of evidence.
Determines if the law was applied correctly and/or if the trial was fair.

17. Cases Through the Courts
County Courts
Circuit Courts
District Courts of Appeal
Florida Supreme Court
U.S. Supreme Court
United States Courts of Appeals
United States District Courts
Cases move through the court system when a petition or appeal is made. Judges do not reach down and select cases – someone must bring a case to court…individual, business, government, etc. Cases move through the trial and appellate courts.
Florida’s Court System
Federal Court System

18. Sorting out the courts Work in a small group
Read the two case scenarios provided.
Diagram how the case moved through the courts
Optional
Sorting out the courts

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