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Federal Courts. Chapter Three. Jurisdiction. Jurisdiction: the power of a court to decide a dispute. Geographical jurisdiction: courts are authorized to hear and decide cases within a specific geographical jurisdiction.
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Federal Courts Chapter Three
Jurisdiction • Jurisdiction: the power of a court to decide a dispute. • Geographical jurisdiction: courts are authorized to hear and decide cases within a specific geographical jurisdiction. • Subject matter jurisdiction: courts are restricted by the subject matter of the case.
Jurisdiction Continued… • Hierarchical jurisdiction: refers to differences in the court’s functions and responsibilities. • Original jurisdiction: a court has the authority to try a case and decide it. • Appellate jurisdiction: a court has the power to review cases that have already been decided by another court.
Dual Court System • The United States has 50 state courts and the District of Columbia. • The United States has a federal court system that is separate from the state system.
Federal Court System • Supreme Court • Appellate Courts • District Courts • Tax Court • International Trade Court • U.S. Claims Court • Veteran’s Appeals • Military Courts
Basis for Federal Courts • Legal Basis: • Article III, Section 1, U.S. Constitution. • Article III of the United States Constitution establishes the judicial branch as one of the three separate and distinct branches of the federal government. • The other two are the legislative and executive branches.
U.S. District Courts • In the federal system, the U.S. District Courts are the federal trial courts of original jurisdiction. Federal criminal trials are held in this court. • Judges are appointed for life by the President with confirmation of the Senate.
U.S. Court of Appeals • Originally called Circuit Court of Appeals. • Exist to relieve the Supreme Court from hearing the growing number of appeals. • Judges serve for life. • Judges are appointed by the President and are confirmed by the Senate. • Approximately 57,000 cases are filed annually.
The Federal Judiciary Insert figure 3-1, page 63 here
Supreme Court • Composed of eight Associate Justices and one Chief Justice. • Appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. • Federal judges are appointed for life. • Can only be removed from office through impeachment and conviction by Congress of "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors." • Neither the President nor Congress can reduce the salary of a federal judge.
“Special” Federal Courts • The Court of International Trade: hears cases involving international trade and customs issues. • The United States Court of Federal Claims: hears cases related to claims of money damages against the United States, disputes over federal contracts, unlawful "takings" of private property by the federal government, and a variety of other claims against the United States.