Judicial

JUDICIAL BRANCH BASIC INFORMATION

Types of Cases• Civil – involves a lawsuit filed (plaintiff), and

(defendant) court decides responsibility• Criminal – involves a crime committed. (Plaintiff =

government) v. (defendant = accused)Judges

• Appointed by the President• Approved by 2/3 of the Senate• Serve Life Terms

JURISDICTION• Jurisdiction – a court’s authority to hear a case

4 Types of Jurisdiction1. Original Jurisdiction – a court’s authority to hear a case

first. (state vs. state, government officials for Sup.Crt.)2. Appellate Jurisdiction – a court’s authority to hear

appeals.(most supreme court cases)3. Exclusive Jurisdiction – federal courts have authority to

hear cases. (the U.S. district courts have exclusive jurisdiction on bankruptcy matters)

4. Concurrent Jurisdiction – both state and federal courts can hear cases. (people from different states can take issues to their state court and federal court, or a robbery of a federal bank can be tried by both federal and state courts)

US DISTRICT COURTS

Jurisdiction• 94 Courts in the US – At least One in every State• Original Jurisdiction – Hear Cases first involving a

violation of federal statutes• Types of Cases – Civil, Criminal• People Involved – Judge, 12 Jurors, Plaintiff,

Defendant• Decisions – Responsible, Not Responsible, Innocent,

Guilty• Responsible or Guilty – Have Right to Appeal

US CIRCUIT COURTS

• 12 Courts Nationwide + 1 Federal Circuit• Appellate Jurisdiction – Hear appeals from District

Court• Types of Cases – Criminal & Civil• People Involved – 3 Judges, Plaintiff, Defendant• Decisions – Uphold, Overturn, Remand (sends back)• Uphold – May appeal to the Supreme Court

US SUPREME COURT

• 1 Supreme Court• Jurisdiction – Original, Appellate• Types of Cases – Disputes between states, involving

ambassadors, admiralty/maritime law, appeals dealing with Constitutional Issues

• People Involved – 9 Supreme Court Justices, Plaintiff, Defendant

• Decisions – Uphold, Overturn, Remand• Written Opinions – Majority, Concurring, Dissenting