1. A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON1 Chapter 7 The Judicial Branch Section 1:Equal Justice Under the Law Section 2:The Federal Court System Section 3:The Supreme Court

2. A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON2 Chapter 7 OBJECTIVES  How does majority rule affect the making of laws, and why is obeying laws important?  What are the four types of U.S. laws?  What roles do the courts play in the United States? Section 1:Equal Justice Under the Law

3. A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON3 Chapter 7 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. Section 1:Equal Justice Under the Law

4. A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON4 Chapter 7 Four types of U.S. laws:  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 Section 1:Equal Justice Under the Law

5. A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON5 Chapter 7 Role of the Courts in the United States  Use law to settle disputes  Assure equal justice for all through fair trials Section 1:Equal Justice Under the Law

6. A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON6 Chapter 7 OBJECTIVES  Which cases are tried in the federal courts?  How are federal courts organized?  What is the Supreme Court’s role in the judicial system? Section 2:The Federal Court System

7. A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON7 Chapter 7 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 Section 2:The Federal Court System

8. A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON8 Chapter 7 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 Section 2:The Federal Court System

9. A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON9 Chapter 7 Organization of Federal Courts  Ninety-four district courts—at base of system; jury trials held here  Courts of Appeal—review district court cases; 12 courts of appeal cover circuits; panels of judges make the decisions  U.S. Supreme Court—highest court in the land; an appeals court; decisions are final Section 2:The Federal Court System

10. A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON10 Chapter 7 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 Section 2:The Federal Court System

11. A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON11 Chapter 7 OBJECTIVES  What is the process through which cases are tried in the Supreme Court?  How do justices get appointed to the Supreme Court, and how long do they serve?  How has judicial review strengthened the Court’s power, and how does Congress limit this power? Section 3:The Supreme Court

12. A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON12 Chapter 7 Process through which cases are tried in the Supreme Court:  Thousands of cases are appealed to the Court each year.  One hundred to 200 cases are selected for the docket.  Selected cases contain significant public interest or questions.  Four out of nine justices must vote to hear a case.  Previous verdicts stand for rejected cases. Section 3:The Supreme Court

13. A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON13 Chapter 7 Supreme Court justices  are appointed by the president and approved by a Senate majority vote.  are appointed for life but may be impeached. Section 3:The Supreme Court

14. A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON14 Chapter 7 Judicial review has strengthened the Court’s power.  Courts decide if a law or presidential action is constitutional.  Supreme Court has the ultimate power of judicial review. Section 3:The Supreme Court

15. A merican C ivicsHOLT HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON15 Chapter 7 Congress can limit the Court’s power.  Can rewrite laws to make them constitutional  Can amend the Constitution to include new laws Section 3:The Supreme Court