1. The National Judiciary (18.1)

2. Dual Court System Federal courts – 120+ federal courts in U.S. State courts – Each state has its own court system

3. Federal Court System

4. Constitutional Courts U.S. Supreme Court Courts of Appeals U.S. Court of International Trade Constitutional courts exercise the broad judicial powers granted by the Constitution

5. Special Courts Various U.S. courts for: – Armed forces – Veterans claims – Federal claims – Tax issues – Territorial courts – D.C. courts Hear cases relating to Congress’ expressed powers

6. Federal Jurisdiction

7. Jurisdiction  authority of a court to hear a case Federal courts can hear cases depending on the: – Subject matter – Parties involved

8. Subject Matter Interpretation/application of a provision of the Constitution, federal statute/treaty Question of admiralty law – Collision @ sea – Crime committed on a ship Question of maritime law – Contract to deliver supplies at the docks

9. Parties Involved U.S. or 1 of U.S. officers/agencies – http://www.sfexaminer.com/politics/white- house/obama-sues-arizona-over-illegal- immigrant-crackdown http://www.sfexaminer.com/politics/white- house/obama-sues-arizona-over-illegal- immigrant-crackdown Ambassador/consul/official representative of a foreign govt. 1 of the states suing another or resident of 1 state/foreign country

10. Parties Involved Citizen of 1 state suing citizen in another state U.S. citizen suing foreign govt. or 1 of its citizens Citizen of 1 state suing citizen in same state – Both claim land under grants of diff. states

11. Types of Federal Jurisdiction Exclusive – Cases can only be heard in federal courts Concurrent – Cases can be heard in federal and/or state courts Original – Location of legal issue determines which court hears case first Appellate – Court hears case of appeal

12. Appointment of Judges P, w/S approval, appoints federal judges Typically, Republican P choose Republican judges; Democratic P choose Democratic judges Level of judicial activism/restraint – Activism: Judge should use position to promote his/her political views – Restraint: Judges defer to actions of executive & legislative branches, except in cases of unconstitutionality

13. Should federal judges be allowed to “legislate” from the bench? Why or why not?

14. Terms/Pay of Judges Constitutional courts: federal judges appointed for life Can only be removed through the impeachment process – 13 judges have been impeached – 7 judges have been convicted – http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Alc ee_Hastings_corruption_scandal http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Alc ee_Hastings_corruption_scandal

15. Terms/Pay of Judges Special courts: federal judges serve either: – 15-yr. terms – 4-yr. terms Assoc. S.C. justices: $208,100 Chief S.C. justice: $217,400 Serve 10 yrs. & retire at 70: full salary for life Serve 15 yrs. & retire at 65: full salary for life