1. The Federal Court System
CHAPTER 11
4/9/2017
CHAPTER 11
The Federal Court System
Section 1: The Lower Courts
Section 2: The Supreme Court
Section 3: The Courts and the Public Good
The Federal Court System

2. Section 1: The Lower Courts
Objectives:
What are the role and the authority of the lower courts?
How are the lower courts organized?
How are the lower-court judges selected?

3. Section 1: The Lower Courts
The role of the lower courts:
resolving disputes
setting precedents
interpreting the law

4. Section 1: The Lower Courts
The authority of the lower courts to hear the initial trial—original jurisdiction—of cases involving:
the Constitution and federal laws
diplomats
treaties
the U.S. government
state governments
citizens of other countries or of more than one state

5. Section 1: The Lower Courts
Organization of the lower courts:
district courts
appeals courts
special courts

6. Section 1: The Lower Courts
Process by which the lower-court judges are selected:
selected by the Department of Justice or White House staffers
approved or disapproved by the Senate

7. Section 2: The Supreme Court
Objectives:
How has the role of the Supreme Court changed over time?
How are the Supreme Court justices appointed, and what are their terms of office?
How does the Supreme Court operate?

8. Section 2: The Supreme Court
Changes in role of the Supreme Court:
powers grew to include judicial review
influence over the executive and legislative branches’ ability to pursue specific public policies increased

9. Section 2: The Supreme Court
Appointment process of Supreme Court justices:
The president appoints them.
The Senate approves or rejects the appointees.
Terms of office:
Justices can serve for life.
Each annual session lasts approximately eight months.

10. Section 2: The Supreme Court
Operation of the Supreme Court:
Lawyers file a written brief.
Justices hear oral arguments.
They have conferences to discuss the case and prepare their opinions.
Justices announce their decision.

11. Section 3: The Courts and the Public Good
Objectives:
What are the issues raised by judicial activism and judicial restraint?
How can the courts’ power be checked?

12. Section 3: The Courts and the Public Good
Issues raised by judicial activism and judicial restraint:
Federal judges overstep their powers through judicial activism.
If federal judges exercise judicial restraint, then the minority views and rights may go unheard and unprotected.

13. Section 3: The Courts and the Public Good
Ways the courts’ power can be checked:
appointment process of justices
congressional power to pass amendments
refusal of states or individuals to obey judicial decisions

14. Chapter Wrap-Up
1. Describe the organization of the lower federal courts.
2. What is the selection process for lower-court judges?
3. How has the Supreme Court’s power changed since the late 1700s?
4. Describe the process a case goes through in the Supreme Court.

15. Chapter Wrap-Up
5. How do the executive and legislative branches check the Supreme Court’s power?
6. What are some common criticisms of the judiciary?