1. JUDICIAL BRANCH – FEDERAL JURISDICTION (who gets to hear a case)

2. Key Terms 1. original jurisdiction – you get to hear the case FIRST!
2. appellate jurisdiction – they hear appeals cases
3. exclusive jurisdiction – cases only heard by federal courts
4. concurrent jurisdiction – can be heard at state or federal level

3. I. Dual Court System (state courts v. federal courts)
A. state courts – hear the MAJORITY of legal disputes (criminal and civil)
B. federal courts – hear cases of exclusive jurisdiction (look at 5th slide)

4. State and federal court systems (copy off board)

5. II. Exclusive cases for federal courts
A. federal crimes – bank robbery, counterfeiting, kidnapping, hijacking, hostage, any law passed by Congress
B. cases involving the Constitution
C. maritime laws – crimes that happen on the high seas
D. disputes involving gov’t agencies (administrative law)
E. state v. state
F. disputes involving citizens from different states
G. disputes involving foreign gov’t (US citizens in foreign countries)
H. any case involving ambassadors to foreign countries
***********these cases are US Supreme Court original jurisdiction