1. By: Suzi, Joel, Anna , and Xander
Lesson 2
By: Suzi, Joel, Anna , and Xander

2. The Lower Courts-District Courts
“ The U.S. district courts are the lowest level of the federal system.”
“ For most matters that reach federal court, district courts usually have original jurisdiction, or the authority to hear cases for the first time.”
“As trial courts, district courts are responsible for determining the facts of a case. They take both criminal and civil cases.”
“ In a criminal case, a district courts will decide if a person is guilty or innocent based on the evidence presented. District courts are the only federal courts in which witnesses testify and juries hear cases and reach verdicts.

3. The Lower Courts- Circuit Courts of Appeals
“Appeals courts differ from trial courts. They do not decide on the guilt or innocence of a person in a criminal case. Nor they decide which party should win a lawsuit. Instead, they have appellate jurisdiction. This is the authority to review the fairness of a case appealed from a lower court.”
“The appeal is based on how the law was applied by the judge.”

4. The Lower Courts- Rulings
In appeal courts there are no trials, a three or more judges panel looks at a case from the trial court. Then it looks at the arguments from both Lawyers then the panel votes based off majority vote. They don't actually vote on who wins the case or lawsuit they vote on if the original case was a fair on or not. They can uphold, reverse, or remand the case. These decisions cannot be changed unless it is which are made to the U.S. Supreme Court.

5. The Lower Courts- Opinions
An opinion is a detailed explanation of legal thinking behind a court decision. The opinion sets a precedent for all of the agencies and courts. A precedent is used to be the base of a decision. It does not have the force of law however, it is a very powerful legal argument.

6. The lower courts- Principles of the Legal System
¨Certain judicial principles were established early in the nation's history. The courts must wait for litigants, or parties to a lawsuit, to come before them.¨
¨This principle states that the decisions of the highest court in the jurisdiction are binding on the courts under it.¨

7. Term in Office
Once appointed, federal judges have their jobs for LIfe.
Can be removed from the process of impeachment.
Framers gave federal judges this right to hold their office.

8. Other Courts Official Judges don’t work alone.
Each district court also has three key officials.
They serve terms of eight years and can be reappointed.
Each district has a United States attorney and one or more deputies.
The job of these lawyers is to prosecute people accused of breaking federal law.

9. Federal Judges
The chief decision makers in the judicial branch are the federal judges
Final authority in federal courts
More than 650 judges on district courts
Each district has at least 2 judges
Some district courts have more because of higher population
Each appeals court has from 6 to 28 judges
Supreme court has 9 judges
Supreme court judges use the title justice

10. Appointing Federal Judges
Article II, SEction 2 of the Constitution says that the president appoints all federal judges
The president can appoint a federal judge only with the advice and consent, or approval, of the senate.
Vacancies in the courts arise when a judge resigns, retires, or dies.
When naming judges to district courts, presidents often follow a practice called senatorial courtesy.
In this tradition, the president first submits the name of the candidate to the senators from the candidate’s state
If one of the senators objects to the candidate , the president typically nominates another candidate.
Senatorial courtesy usually does not apply to the naming of judges to courts of appeals or the supreme court.