1. Created by: Joseph Wirick-Velez, Jacob Joseph
Chapter 9: Lesson 1
Created by: Joseph Wirick-Velez,
Jacob Joseph

2. Role of the federal courts
Courts make up the judiciary, or the judicial branch of
government.
2. Courts hear two types of cases: criminal cases and civil
cases.
3. Civil disputes occur between parties who feel that their
Rights have been harmed.

3. Origin of federal court system
From 1781 to 1789, the United States was governed by the Articles of Confederation.
2. With the judiciary Act of 1789, it established two types
of lower federal courts: district courts and circuit
courts.

4. Dual court system
Federal courts get their powers from laws passed by Congress.

5. The goal of the court system
The words “Equal Justice Under Law” are written on the building that houses the United States Supreme Court.
2. Under the Constitution, every person accused of breaking the law has the right to have a public trial and a lawyer.

6. Federal court jurisdiction
Federal cases must involve the Constitution, federal law, or the federal government.
2. These courts also handle cases that involve different states or people from different states.

7. The constitution and federal law
Congress has passed laws that define some actions as federal crimes.
2. Examples are kidnapping, tax evasion, and counterfeiting.

8. Disputes between states or parties from different states
Disagreements between state governments are taken to federal court.
2. Suppose the states of Colorado and California disagree over which has a greater right to water from the Colorado River.