1. Chapter 7 The Judicial Branch
American Civics
4/13/2019
Chapter 7 The Judicial Branch
Section 1: Equal Justice Under the Law
Section 2: The Federal Court System
Section 3: The Supreme Court
Chapter 7

2. The rights of all U.S. citizens are protected by laws and the courts.
Section 1: Equal Justice Under the Law
The Main Idea
The rights of all U.S. citizens are protected by laws and the courts.
Reading Focus
In what ways is the United States a nation of laws?
What are the four sources of law in the United States?
What roles do the courts play in the United States?

3. Majority rule affects the making of laws.
Section 1: Equal Justice Under the Law
Majority rule affects the making of laws.
Laws usually reflect the opinion of the majority.
Laws are passed for the good of all citizens.
Good citizenship involves abiding by the laws.
Without laws, anarchy could develop.

4. Four types of U.S. laws: Section 1: Equal Justice Under the Law
Statutory law—passed by lawmaking bodies
Common law—judges’ decisions based on common sense, experience, and practice
Administrative law—created by government agencies
Constitutional law—based on the Constitution and its interpretation by the Court

5. Role of the Courts in the United States
Section 1: Equal Justice Under the Law
Role of the Courts in the United States
Use law to settle disputes
Assure equal justice for all through fair trials

6. provide fair public trials ensure equal justice for all
SECTION 1
Question: What roles do the courts play in the United States?
The Roles that Courts Play
provide fair public trials
ensure equal justice for all

7. Section 2: The Federal Court System
Section 2: The Federal Court System
The Main Idea
The federal court system consists of the three levels of courts, each of which has specific duties.
Reading Focus
What is the purpose of the U.S. district courts?
How are the U.S. courts of appeals different from the district courts?
What is the role of the Supreme Court?

8. Cases tried in the FEDERAL COURTS:
Section 2: The Federal Court System
Cases tried in the FEDERAL COURTS:
Cases involving people charged with disobeying the Constitution, violating a U.S. treaty, or breaking laws passed by Congress
Charges brought by a foreign country against the United States or its citizens
Crimes committed on U.S. ships at sea

9. Cases tried in the FEDERAL COURTS: (continued)
Section 2: The Federal Court System
Cases tried in the FEDERAL COURTS: (continued)
Ambassadors and consuls charged with breaking laws in a foreign country
Crimes committed on certain federal properties
Disagreements between the states
Lawsuits between citizens of different states

10. Organization of Federal Courts
Section 2: The Federal Court System
Organization of Federal Courts
94 district courts—base of the system; jury trials held here
Courts of Appeal—12 of them, review district court cases; panels of judges make the decisions
U.S. Supreme Court—highest court in the land; appeals court; decisions=final

11. Role of the Supreme Court
Section 2: The Federal Court System
Role of the Supreme Court
Reviews cases from lower federal courts and state courts
Constitutional jurisdiction over:
cases involving diplomatic representatives from other countries
disputes between states
disputes between states and federal government

12. Question: Which cases are tried in federal courts?
SECTION 2
Question: Which cases are tried in federal courts?
Federal Court Cases
1. constitutional violations
2. U.S. treaty violations
3. congressional law violations
4. cases between a foreign government and a U.S. citizen or the government
5. crimes committed on U.S. ships at sea
6. cases involving U.S. ambassadors and consuls who broke laws in their stationed countries
7. crimes committed on certain types of federal property
8. disagreements between states or citizens of different states

13. Section 3: The Supreme Court
Section 3: The Supreme Court
The Main Idea
The Supreme Court hears appeals, reviews laws, and strongly influences American society.
Reading Focus
What is the power of the judicial review?
What are the constitutional checks on the Supreme Court’s powers?
How has the Supreme Court strengthened constitutional rights?

14. Process through which cases are tried in the Supreme Court:
Section 3: The Supreme Court
Process through which cases are tried in the Supreme Court:
1000’s of cases are appealed each year.
100 to 200 cases are selected for the docket.
Selected cases contain significant public interest or questions.
4 out of 9 justices must vote to hear a case.
Previous verdicts stand for rejected cases.

15. Supreme Court justices
Section 3: The Supreme Court
Supreme Court justices
Appointed by the president BUT approved by a Senate majority vote.
Appointed for life but may be impeached.
9 justices; one of these serves as a CHIEF JUSTICE

16. Judicial review has strengthened the Court’s power.
Section 3: The Supreme Court
Judicial review has strengthened the Court’s power.
Courts decide if a law or presidential action is constitutional/unconstitutional.
Supreme Court=ultimate power of judicial review.

17. Congress can limit the Court’s power.
Section 3: The Supreme Court
Congress can limit the Court’s power.
Can rewrite laws to make them constitutional
Can amend the Constitution to include new laws

18. SECTION 3
Question: How has judicial review strengthened the Supreme Court’s power, and how does Congress limit this power?
Judicial Review
Congress
Limit
Congress may pass a similar law abiding by the Constitution or may try to amend the Constitution.
Strengthen
It asserted the Court’s power to declare laws of Congress and presidential acts unconstitutional.

19. Chapter 7 Wrap-Up
1. Describe the types of laws that exist in the United States.
2. What services do U.S. courts provide?
3. Which cases are tried in federal courts?
4. How is the federal court system organized?
5. How are appointments made to the Supreme Court, and how long do justices serve?
6. How does the Supreme Court limit Congress’s power, and how does Congress reassert it?