the federal and state courts notes for chapter 8
TRANSCRIPT
The Federal and The Federal and State CourtsState Courts
The Federal and The Federal and State CourtsState Courts
Notes for Chapter 8Notes for Chapter 8
Court’s Basic Structure
US Supreme
Court
US Courts of Appeals
Federal District Courts
Other members of the federal judiciary
The Federal Courts
• Federal District Courts: –94 districts, at least one per state.
–Nearest courthouse is Elizabeth City.
–Are “work horses of the federal system.” Most cases heard here.
–Only federal court where a jury trial is held. All others have bench trials.
The Federal Courts
• US Court of Appeals: – 12 regular circuits.
– Judges sit in panels of 3.
– Hear only appeals.
– NC in Circuit 4, centered in Richmond, VA.
– The 13th circuit or “Federal Circuit” was created in 1982 in Washington, DC to hear civil appeals from several courts & the Patent Office.
US Judicial Circuits
The Federal Courts• Legislative Courts: Help Congress exercise
its power. Have fixed terms for most judges:– US Claims Ct.: Hear money suits vs. US– US Tax Ct.: Hear civil disputes with IRS-Not
criminal– Territorial Courts: Run like state courts.
Territories are US Virgin Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, N. Marianas Islands.
– DC Courts: Run like municipal courts in most large cities.
Other Members of the Judiciary
• Attorney General
• US District Attorneys
• US Marshalls
• Magistrates
• US Clerks of Court
Jurisdiction Road
• For each scenario, the group should answer each of the following questions in the section that corresponds to the number:
a.Is it a criminal, civil or constitutional case?
b.Is there exclusive or concurrent jurisdiction?
c.What federal court has Original jurisdiction?
Chapter 8.3• Getting Appointed: (pp.246, 250-251)
Process & CriteriaConstitutional Requirements
• Structure of the Supreme Court: (p. 250)Do search of the current membersDiscuss the “Switch in time that saved 9”
Powers of the Supreme Court: (pp. 250-53)Outline Constitutional wordingDiscuss Marbury v. Madison & quote in bookGive examples of Judicial Review & importance
Limits of the Supreme Court: (p. 253)Discuss today’s quote with Presidential checksDetail Congressional & Constitutional checks
Read 8.4. Take notes for p. 78:1. Explain the ways cases reach the
SCOTUS:
• original jurisdiction
• appellate jurisdiction
• rule of 4
2. Explain the steps in hearing a case:
3. Explain 2 reasons why the decisions of the Supreme Court is important: