PowerPoint Presentation

The Judicial BranchOf the United States GovernmentThe Federal Court SystemSet up to interpret or explain the meaning of the U.S. Constitution

Cases that violate a federal law are heard in federal courts

Federal court system includes district courts, courts of appeals, and the Supreme CourtFederal District CourtsEach state has at least one district court.

Total of 94 district courts, and more than 600 judges

Large states are divided into districts, and each district has their own federal district court

District courts are the only federal courts that use juries

What are Federal District Courts?Federal District CourtsEach district has a chief judge and one or more other judges.

Hear a wide variety of cases; most of which are heard by a judge without a jury

cases like robbery, kidnapping, tax evasion, or counterfeiting money are tried by a judge and jury

The court hears these cases and the jury decides if the defendant is guilty.

Cases in Federal District CourtsAny person or group who disobeys any part of the Constitution

Any person or group who breaks federal laws like tax, postal, banking, or military laws

A foreign nation that sues the US or a US citizen

An ambassador accused of breaking the law in the country where he/she is serving

A crime that occurs on an American ship at sea or on federal property

Disagreements between states

Lawsuits between citizens of different states

Vocabulary CheckpointViolate: to break a law or rule

Defendant: a person accused of doing something that is not legal

Disobey: to do something that is against the rules

Disagreement: a quarrel; a difference of opinion

Other Federal CourtsOther Federal CourtsFederal Claims CourtHears cases involving money claims against the federal government.Court of International TradeHears cases about taxes collected by customs officials on imported items.

Other Federal CourtsThe Court of Customs and Patent AppealsHears cases about patent applications and violationsThe Territorial CourtsHears cases from people who live in U.S. territoriesThese courts are the same as the federal district courts

Tax CourtHears cases about payment of federal taxes

Review QuestionsCases that involve a violation of a ___________law are heard in federal courts.

A ____________ court is where federal cases are heard.

District courts are the only federal courts that use ____________.

Cases such as bank robbery or kidnapping are heard in a district court with a ____________ and jury.

___________ has set up courts to handle special cases such as international trade, patent appeals, and taxes.

Word Bank

CongressDistrictFederalJudgejuriesUnited States Courts of AppealsCourts of Appeals Accused people who feel that their trial was unfair in a district court may appeal, or ask for a review of their case.

This takes place in a court of appeals.

Congress set up the courts of appeals in 1891

How are the Courts of Appeals Organized?The 50 states are divided into 11 large judicial areas called circuits

There is also a circuit for District of Columbia and a Federal Circuit

The Federal Circuit has control over all states and territories

Each court of appeals has at least six judges

The United States is divided into 13 courts of appeals

16How does a Court of Appeals work?At least three judges study the history of the case.

They review the legal procedures involved in the case They also interpret the laws.

Judges may not ask for any new facts to be presented.

Courts of AppealsThe judges listen to lawyers from each side.

The judges vote, and decision is reached by majority.

If the judges decide that the trial was not fair, the judges reverse the district courts decision or send it back for a new trial.If the judges decide the trial was fair, the district courts verdict stands.

After reviewing the case..Vocabulary CheckpointAppeal: to ask a higher court to review a case

Circuit: an assigned area or district

Procedure: a series of steps followed in a regular order

Interpret: to explain or tell the meaning of something

Reverse: to overturn or set aside

Verdict: the finding or judgment of a court

Review QuestionsThe (Constitution, Congress, Senate) set up the United States courts of appeals in 1951.

Every circuit has a United States court of appeals that reviews decisions made in (higher courts, state courts, district courts).

The judges in a court of appeals listen to arguments presented by the (accused, judges, lawyers) from each side.A case may be sent back to a district court for a new trial if the judges decide that (justice, the procedure, the jury) was not done.

If the court of appeals decides the verdict was fair, the (judge, argument, decision) of the district court will stand.