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Understanding the Federal Judicial System: Overview of Civil and Criminal Cases

This overview provides insights into the structure of the Federal Judicial System in the United States, highlighting key elements such as civil and criminal cases, types of trials, and the jurisdiction of various courts. It explains the roles of district courts, circuit courts, and the Supreme Court, detailing their functions and processes, including original and appellate jurisdiction. The influence of judicial philosophy on rulings and the significance of majority, dissenting, and concurring opinions are also discussed, offering a comprehensive look at how justice is administered in America.

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Understanding the Federal Judicial System: Overview of Civil and Criminal Cases

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Presentation Transcript

  1. The Federal Judicial System Government - Libertyville HS

  2. Vocabulary • Civil Case (P v. D) • Dispute between two or more people (parties) • Fighting over money (torts) • Criminal Case (State v. D) • Dispute between society (government) and a person • Fighting over liberty! (jail) • Types of trial • Jury trial • Bench trial • Choice = P (civil) or D (criminal)

  3. Vocabulary • Jurisdiction • What is the appropriate court to hear a case • Original jurisdiction = first level (“Trial Court”) • Appellate jurisdiction = second or higher level (“Appellate Court”) • Federal Court Jurisdiction • District court = original • Circuit court = appellate • Supreme Court = BOTH!

  4. Summary of Judicial System

  5. US District Court • 94 district courts • At least one in each state • DC (1), Puerto Rico (1) • 3 US territories (V.I., Guam, N. Mariana Isl.) • Hear any kind of case • Exceptions: bankruptcy, international trade, claims against Fed. Gov., IRS cases • These are heard by special courts

  6. US Circuit Court of Appeals • All states divided into 11 Circuits, + the DC Circuit • 179 justices authorized • Hear appeals from lower courts (mandatory) in their circuit • Hear appeals in 3 judge panels • Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit is the 13thCircuit Court of Appeals • Nationwide jurisdiction to hear specialized cases

  7. US Supreme Court • Only court provided in the Constitution • Composition • 1 Chief Justice • 8 Associate Justices • Final authority in determining issues of law in USA • Judicial Review • Ability to determine constitutionality of federal statute

  8. US Supreme Court • Process • Appellate jurisdiction for all criminal, civil cases • Original jurisdiction for cases involving foreign diplomats or states • Getting a Case to USSC • Appeal – review decision of lower court • Writ of Certiorari – accept case to resolve “substantial federal question (“Rule of 4”) • Certificate – Lower court asks USSC to clarify a procedural / legal issue

  9. US Supreme Court • Hearings • Cases heard between October and June • Attorneys file written briefs before hearing • Amicus curiae brief • “Friend of the Court” • Affected groups file written brief to support their position • Justices listen to oral arguments • Attorneys answer questions from all 9 justices at once

  10. US Supreme Court • After oral argument, justices meet “in conference” every Friday • Discuss, argue cases amongst themselves • CJ assigns who will write opinion • Vote on decision • Majority opinion (precedent) • Dissenting opinion (justices who don’t agree w/ majority) • Concurring opinion (agree w/ outcome, not reasoning)

  11. US Supreme Court • Workload • 8241 filings in 2007 • 75 cases argued • 67 signed opinions • Ideological Division of USSC • Liberal justices = “Living Constitution” (reinterpret Const. to fit current times) • Conservative justices = Constitution’s original meaning, intent to be preserved • Split on Court today (4/4/1)

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