Judicial Branch
Types of Cases tried in Federal Court: Federal crime, civil suits between citizens of different states, bankruptcy, maritime law, and naturalization
Structure of the Federal Judicial System
Supreme Court (Appellate)
12 courts of Appeal (Appellate)
91 District Courts
-The Supreme Court consists of 8 Associate Justices and 1 Chief Justice. They hear cases to resolve conflicts among states, interpreting national laws, and maintain national supremacy in law.
- Courts of Appeal is divided into 12 judicial circuits, usually has a panel of 3 judges, not looking for guilt or innocence but to correct errors made at the district court level
-District Courts: at least one in each state, they have original jurisdiction, and they are the only federal courts that hold trials.
Famous Supreme Court Cases
Marbury V. Madison: Gave the Supreme Court the power for judicial review, where they can rule a law unconsititutional
Dred Scott V. Sandford: Decided that slaves could never be citizens or people, and were not protected by the Constitution
Gideon V. Wainwright: Allowed Defendants the right to an attorney
Miranda V. Arizona: Made sure police read off the Miranda Rights ( fifth amendment rights) during arrest or interrogations.
Tinker V. Des Moines: Allowed three students to wear armbands protesting the Vietnam war
Roe V. Wade: Court granted Roe the right to get an abortion, despite a Texan law claiming that abortions were only legal if they saved the mother's life.
U.S. V. Nixon: Nixon claimed that Senate impeachment hearings against him were unconstitutional because the entire Senate did not try him, but instead appointed a committee to make initial findings. The court ruled that Nixon had to surrender the tapes.
Citizens United V. F.E.C.: Decided that if you negatively air one candidate on television, you must air equal time of the other candidate.
Structure of the Federal Judicial System
Supreme Court (Appellate)
12 courts of Appeal (Appellate)
91 District Courts
-The Supreme Court consists of 8 Associate Justices and 1 Chief Justice. They hear cases to resolve conflicts among states, interpreting national laws, and maintain national supremacy in law.
- Courts of Appeal is divided into 12 judicial circuits, usually has a panel of 3 judges, not looking for guilt or innocence but to correct errors made at the district court level
-District Courts: at least one in each state, they have original jurisdiction, and they are the only federal courts that hold trials.
Famous Supreme Court Cases
Marbury V. Madison: Gave the Supreme Court the power for judicial review, where they can rule a law unconsititutional
Dred Scott V. Sandford: Decided that slaves could never be citizens or people, and were not protected by the Constitution
Gideon V. Wainwright: Allowed Defendants the right to an attorney
Miranda V. Arizona: Made sure police read off the Miranda Rights ( fifth amendment rights) during arrest or interrogations.
Tinker V. Des Moines: Allowed three students to wear armbands protesting the Vietnam war
Roe V. Wade: Court granted Roe the right to get an abortion, despite a Texan law claiming that abortions were only legal if they saved the mother's life.
U.S. V. Nixon: Nixon claimed that Senate impeachment hearings against him were unconstitutional because the entire Senate did not try him, but instead appointed a committee to make initial findings. The court ruled that Nixon had to surrender the tapes.
Citizens United V. F.E.C.: Decided that if you negatively air one candidate on television, you must air equal time of the other candidate.