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Understanding the U.S. Federal Court System

Learn about the four types of law in the United States, the three levels of Federal Courts, and the roles of U.S. District Courts and U.S. Courts of Appeals. Explore the U.S. Supreme Court and the judicial process through interactive exercises.

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Understanding the U.S. Federal Court System

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  1. Do Now • Text or answer on your white boards the answer to this question: • What are the four types of law in the United States? • 717-752-6695 • Get the Homework off the front board or the QR code. • Get your laptops and log on

  2. The Federal Court System 5-23-11

  3. Objectives • Apply the concept of an appeal to a real life situation • Create a machine that represents the Federal Judicial System

  4. U.S. Federal Courts • Jurisdiction – determines the types of cases it can hear and decide on (if it was properly brought before it) • Original • Appellate Three levels of Federal Courts

  5. The U.S. Federal Courts • U.S. Supreme Court • (mostly appellate) CASES END HERE • U.S. Court of Appeals • (appellate) • 12 Circuits • U.S. District Courts • (original) • 94 Courts in 50 states/territories CASES START HERE

  6. Formative Assessment

  7. U.S. Federal Districts • Lowest level of courts– U.S. District Courts • Trial courts • Original jurisdiction – to hear and decide a case for the first time

  8. U.S. District Courts in PA

  9. U.S. District Judges • Do not make law! • They apply law to the case before them • Both criminal and civil cases • No jury? Judge decides • Decides punishment • Appointed for life, by? Approved by? • Impeached by?

  10. Formative Assessment

  11. U.S. Courts of Appeals • Courts of Appeals – appellate jurisdiction – Review decisions and procedures of lower courts • 12 judicial circuits, each with its own court of appeals

  12. U.S. Courts of Appeals continued Panel of three judges makes a decision – was the first trial fair and was the law interpreted correctly? NO GUILT OR INNOCENCE DECIDED • Majority vote of three judges • Back to district court for a new trial or upheld. • Last appeal chance, if U.S. Court of Appeals upholds orginal decision, is the Supreme Court

  13. Formative Assessment • Create a question on the court of appeals. Text someone in class that question. • No phone? Put the question on your whiteboard and show it to someone across the room. • Answer the question via text or on a white board. • Did the person you ask get it right?

  14. U.S. Supreme Court • Mainly an appeals court (they choose the cases they will hear) • Justices – nine judges on the Court (Congress sets the number of Justices) • Decision cannot be appealed • Original jurisdiction in cases involving: • Diplomats from other countries • Cases between states • Cases involving states and the federal government

  15. Machine! • SOME questions to consider • Where to trials start? • Who tries them? • How many? • Where do cases go after the first trial?

  16. Redraw the Roadmap!

  17. Closure • On WB or text message to Mr. D • Why does the United States give different kinds of courts original jurisdiction and appellate jurisdiction?

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