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The Federal Court System. District Courts. The federal courts where trials are held and lawsuits are begun. Original Jurisdiction: hear cases for the first time Responsibilities: Determining the facts of the case Hold trials for civil and criminal federal cases Decide guilt or innocence
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District Courts • The federal courts where trials are held and lawsuits are begun. • Original Jurisdiction: hear cases for the first time • Responsibilities: • Determining the facts of the case • Hold trials for civil and criminal federal cases • Decide guilt or innocence • Only courts where witnesses testify, juries hear cases, reach verdicts
District Courts • Number: • Each state has at least one. (Some have more.) • Total # of US District Courts = 94
District Courts • Hear federal criminal and civil cases. • President appoints. Senate approves • Salary: $162, 100 • Length of term: LIFE • Only level that has trials
District Courts • Marshal: • Makes arrest • Collects fines • Takes convicted people to prison • Protects jurors • Keeps order • Serves legal papers • Magistrate: • Issues court orders • Hears preliminary evidence • Decides bail • Hears minor cases • US Attorney: • Gov’t lawyers • Others: • Clerks, secretaries, court reporters, probation officers
Appeals Courts • Review decisions made in lower district courts • Appellate jurisdiction: • Authority to hear a case appealed from a lower court
Appeals Courts • Number: 12 • Types of cases heard: • Cases where an appeal was made from a decision in a district court • Judges: 6 -27 in each appeals court • Salary: $171,800
Appeals Court • Appeals courts do not hold trials. • Possible rulings: • Uphold the original decision • Reverse/overturn • Remand the case to the lower court
Supreme Court • Decide whether laws are constitutional • JUDICIAL REVIEW • Highest court in the land • Jurisdiction: Original and Appellate
Supreme Court • Cases heard: • Cases that come through appeal • Cases that deal with the Constitution • 9 Justices • 1 Chief Justice, 8 Associate Justices • Salary: AS - $199,200 , CJ - $208, 100
Supreme Court • POWERS: • Judicial Review • Interpret meaning of laws
Supreme Court • Checks on power: • Change law to fit the Constitution • Change the Constitution to fit the law • President appoints judges, Senate approves • Congress can impeach and remove judges from office • Can only rule in cases that come to it