The Judicial Branch
The Federal Court system
The District Courts
There are 94 district courts in the United States. District courts have original jurisdiction in matters of federal crimes, civil suits between states, bankruptcy, maritime law, and naturalization of citizens. The United States has the US Solicitor General to represent the government in the courts.
The Courts of Appeals
There are 13 courts of appeals and have appellate jurisdiction, so they deal with the application of law in cases from lower courts. The court of appeals does not deal with guilt, they are interested in whether the litigants were guaranteed their constitutional rights to a fair trial.
The Supreme Court
The one supreme court has both appellate and original jurisdiction. The supreme court is special because it gets to decide the cases it hears. Most cases the supreme court hears are from lower courts, but the supreme court can have original jurisdiction such as in cases where ambassadors from other countries are involved.
The President appoints all federal judges, the senate must confirm all of the appointments.
There are 94 district courts in the United States. District courts have original jurisdiction in matters of federal crimes, civil suits between states, bankruptcy, maritime law, and naturalization of citizens. The United States has the US Solicitor General to represent the government in the courts.
The Courts of Appeals
There are 13 courts of appeals and have appellate jurisdiction, so they deal with the application of law in cases from lower courts. The court of appeals does not deal with guilt, they are interested in whether the litigants were guaranteed their constitutional rights to a fair trial.
The Supreme Court
The one supreme court has both appellate and original jurisdiction. The supreme court is special because it gets to decide the cases it hears. Most cases the supreme court hears are from lower courts, but the supreme court can have original jurisdiction such as in cases where ambassadors from other countries are involved.
The President appoints all federal judges, the senate must confirm all of the appointments.
Famous supreme court cases (Click to Learn more)
Plessy v. Ferguson
Court case of 1896 that maintained the idea of "separate but equal".
Brown v. Board of Education
Court case 1954 that overturn Plessy v. Ferguson and was a stepping stone in racial equality.
Tinker v. des moines independent community school district
Case that allowed for freedom of speech in public schools as long as it doesn't interfere with learning.
Miranda v. Arizona
This landmark case allowed for admissions of guilt can be admitted into trial as evidence if the guilty party understands their rights.
Korematsu v. United States
Case that ruled on the constitutionality of executive order 9066 and the internment of Japanese Americans.