The Federal Court System

1. The Federal Court System • Article III of the Constitution established a national Supreme Court. • It also gave the Congress the power to establish other inferior courts.

2. Criminal and Civil Cases • The United States really has two separate court systems. The state courts and federal courts. • Most cases are decided by State courts. • In criminal cases juries decide whether people have committed crimes. • Civil cases are those where two parties disagree and one takes action against the other.

3. Federal Court Jurisdiction • Jurisdiction: The authority to decide a case. • The federal courts have jurisdiction in certain specific areas. • The Constitution-rights violated • (freedom of speech) • Federal Laws-accused of Federal crimes (bank robbery, tax evasion)

4. Federal Jurisdiction continued… • Admiralty and maritime laws-involves ships at sea • Disputes in which the U.S. government is involved-anything involving the government • Controversies between states • Controversies between citizens of different states-$50,000 or more

5. Federal Jurisdiction continued…. • Disputes involving foreign governments- U.S. government, U.S. company, U.S. citizen vs. another country • United States Diplomats serving in other countries-any U.S. crime will be tried in U.S. federal court

6. Types of Jurisdiction • Exclusive Jurisdiction-when only the federal courts may try a hear and decide a case • Concurrent Jurisdiction-when state and federal courts share responsibility a case

7. Type of case/ Jurisdiction • Bank Robbery • Shoplifting at the mall • Car theft • Factories pollute the river that serves as a border between two states • Your neighbor builds his fence on your yard. • Murder • Rights to the treasure in a sunken ship.