1. The Federal Courts Chapter 11 Section 1

2. Constitutional Origins The courts are established by Article III of the Constitution. The courts are established by Article III of the Constitution. Specifically creates only the Supreme Court Specifically creates only the Supreme Court Gives Congress the power to establish inferior federal courts. Gives Congress the power to establish inferior federal courts. State courts were already in place long before the Constitution was written. State courts were already in place long before the Constitution was written.

3. Jurisdiction of the Courts Jurisdiction: The right to interpret and apply the law; a courts range of authority. Jurisdiction: The right to interpret and apply the law; a courts range of authority. Federal Courts Federal Courts Reps of foreign nations Reps of foreign nations Maritime law (law of the sea) Maritime law (law of the sea) Bankruptcy cases Bankruptcy cases Two or more state governments Two or more state governments Citizens of different states Citizens of different states A state and a citizen of a different state or country A state and a citizen of a different state or country U.S. laws and treaties under the Constitution U.S. laws and treaties under the Constitution

4. Jurisdiction of the Courts Exclusive Jurisdiction Exclusive Jurisdiction The authority of the federal courts alone to hear and rule in certain cases. The authority of the federal courts alone to hear and rule in certain cases. Concurrent Jurisdiction Concurrent Jurisdiction The authority to hear cases shared by the federal and state courts. The authority to hear cases shared by the federal and state courts. Original Jurisdiction Original Jurisdiction The court’s authority to hear a case for the first time. The court’s authority to hear a case for the first time. Appellate Jurisdiction Appellate Jurisdiction The court’s authority to hear cases on appeal. The court’s authority to hear cases on appeal.

5. Types of Law Civil Law Civil Law Law dealing with the rights and relationships of private citizens. Law dealing with the rights and relationships of private citizens. Plaintiff: the person who file suit. Plaintiff: the person who file suit. Defendant: One against whom a legal charge has been made. Defendant: One against whom a legal charge has been made. Criminal Law Criminal Law Type of law dealing with crimes and providing for their punishment. Type of law dealing with crimes and providing for their punishment. Constitutional Law Constitutional Law Type of law relating to the interpretation of the Constitution. Type of law relating to the interpretation of the Constitution. Federal Court has jurisdiction Federal Court has jurisdiction

6. Marbury V. Madison Court case in which the Supreme Court established the power of judicial review. Court case in which the Supreme Court established the power of judicial review. Writ of Mandamus: a court order that commands a government official to take a particular action. Writ of Mandamus: a court order that commands a government official to take a particular action.