2. Federal Court Systems: Supreme Court
DAY 2

3. 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 goes against the Constitution

4. 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.

5. Federal Court - Levels

6. Federal Courts What kinds of cases can a federal court hear?
The court must have jurisdiction:
“The power, right, and authority to interpret the law.”
Two types of federal-court jurisdiction:
Federal-question jurisdiction.
Diversity jurisdiction.

7. Federal Question Jurisdiction
Case involves:
Federal statute or law.
U.S. Constitution.
Examples:
Johnson vs California
Legitimacy of laws ( violent video games)
Furman vs. Georgia

8. Supreme Court Top of the Judicial Branch in the Federal Government.
Final say in all matters dealing with the United States Constitution.

9. The Supreme Court Justices
The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction only in cases involving foreign diplomats or a state. All other cases come to the Court on appeal.
Loser in U.S. Court of Appeals may file a Petition for Writ of Certiorari.
The Court chooses the cases it hears through the writ of Certiorari.

10. US Supreme Court
The president appoints Supreme Court justices, with Senate approval.
The court has final authority on cases involving the constitution, acts of Congress, and treaties.
There are 9 Supreme Court Justices.
Eight associate justices and one chief justice make up the supreme court.