1. Chapter 7 The Judicial Branch
American Civics
4/21/2017
Chapter 7 The Judicial Branch
Section 1: Equal Justice Under the Law
Section 2: The Federal Court System
Section 3: The Supreme Court
Chapter 7

2. The rights of all U.S. citizens are protected by laws and the courts.
Section 1: Equal Justice Under the Law
The Main Idea
The rights of all U.S. citizens are protected by laws and the courts.
Reading Focus
In what ways is the United States a nation of laws?
What are the four sources of law in the United States?
What roles do the courts play in the United States?

3. Laws Section 1: Equal Justice Under the Law
2 types of laws: Criminal law and civil law
Crime: behavior that is illegal b/c society considers the behavior harmful
Criminal law: refers to the group of laws that define what acts are crimes
describes how a person accused should be tried and punished

4. Laws Civil laws: group of laws that refer to disputes between people.
Contract disputes, divorce proceedings, property boundaries

5. Four types of U.S. laws: Section 1: Equal Justice Under the Law
Statutory law (statutes)—passed by lawmaking bodies
Represent majority rule
Common law—judges’ decisions based on common sense, experience, and practice (precedent)
Administrative law—created by government agencies (similar to statutory laws)
Health, safety, education, banking, etc
Constitutional law—based on the Constitution and its interpretation by the Court
Gideon vs. Wainwright: free legal aid

6. Role of the Courts in the United States
Section 1: Equal Justice Under the Law
Role of the Courts in the United States
Use law to settle disputes
Assure equal justice for all through fair trials.
Representation
Criminal cases: Right to confront the accuser and jury trial
Always innocent until proven guilty
Appeal process: person asks a higher court to review the result of the trial

7. provide fair public trials ensure equal justice for all
SECTION 1
Question: What roles do the courts play in the United States?
The Roles that Courts Play
provide fair public trials
ensure equal justice for all

8. Section 2: The Federal Court System
The Main Idea
The federal court system consists of the three levels of courts, each of which has specific duties.
Reading Focus
What is the purpose of the U.S. district courts?
How are the U.S. courts of appeals different from the district courts?
What is the role of the Supreme Court?

9. Cases tried in the federal courts:
Section 2: The Federal Court System
Cases tried in the federal courts:
Cases involving people charged with disobeying the Const.
Charges brought by a foreign country against the U.S. or its citizens
Crimes committed on U.S. ships at sea

10. Cases tried in the federal courts: (continued)
Section 2: The Federal Court System
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

11. Organization of Federal Courts
Section 2: The Federal Court System
Organization of Federal Courts
3 levels of federal courts.
1. U.S. Supreme Court
2. U.S. court of appeals (each circuit has its own court of appeals)
3. U.S. district courts in all states (lowest level)
94 district courts divided into 12 judicial circuits
2 types of jurisdiction (authority)
Appellate
original

12. U.S. Federal Districts
District or Trial courts – original jurisdiction (hear and decide a case for the first time)
Only court trials are held
Only court where jury trials are held
Cannot hear appeals from other courts
“local” courts – at least 1 district court in each state

13. U.S. District Judges Federal District judges are trial judges
Conduct civil and criminal trials w/or w/out juries
Appointed for life by the president and must be approved by the Senate
Removed only by impeachment by Congress and the salary cannot be lowered
Protects judges from punishment for decisions

14. Court of Appeals
Appellate jurisdiction (power to review decisions made by lower courts)
Do not hold trials – review the records of district ct. trials and hear arguments by the lawyers of both sides
They determine if the original trial was fair and if the law was interpreted correctly
Judges reach a decision by majority vote
May send the case back for a new trial/uphold the decision

15. Role of the Supreme Court
Section 2: The Federal Court System
Role of the Supreme Court
Highest court in the land
Reviews cases from lower federal courts and state courts
9 justices/judges – cannot be appealed
Constitutional jurisdiction over:
diplomatic representatives from other countries
disputes between states
disputes between states and federal government

16. Question: Which cases are tried in federal courts?
SECTION 2
Question: Which cases are tried in federal courts?
Federal Court Cases
1. constitutional violations
2. U.S. treaty violations
3. congressional law violations
4. cases between a foreign government and a U.S. citizen or the government
5. crimes committed on U.S. ships at sea
6. cases involving U.S. ambassadors and consuls who broke laws in their stationed countries
7. crimes committed on certain types of federal property
8. disagreements between states or citizens of different states

17. Section 3: The Supreme Court
The Main Idea
The Supreme Court hears appeals, reviews laws, and strongly influences American society.
Reading Focus
What is the power of the judicial review?
What are the constitutional checks on the Supreme Court’s powers?
How has the Supreme Court strengthened constitutional rights?

18. Process through which cases are tried in the Supreme Court:
Section 3: The Supreme Court
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.

19. Supreme Court justices
Section 3: The Supreme Court
Supreme Court justices
Are appointed by the president and approved by a Senate majority vote.
Are appointed for life but may be impeached.

20. Judicial review has strengthened the Court’s power.
Section 3: The Supreme Court
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.

21. Congress can limit the Court’s power.
Section 3: The Supreme Court
Congress can limit the Court’s power.
Can rewrite laws to make them constitutional
Can amend the Constitution to include new laws

22. SECTION 3
Question: How has judicial review strengthened the Supreme Court’s power, and how does Congress limit this power?
Judicial Review
Congress
Limit
Congress may pass a similar law abiding by the Constitution or may try to amend the Constitution.
Strengthen
It asserted the Court’s power to declare laws of Congress and presidential acts unconstitutional.

23. Chapter 7 Wrap-Up
1. Describe the types of laws that exist in the United States.
2. What services do U.S. courts provide?
3. Which cases are tried in federal courts?
4. How is the federal court system organized?
5. How are appointments made to the Supreme Court, and how long do justices serve?
6. How does the Supreme Court limit Congress’s power, and how does Congress reassert it?