Federal Court System Flashcards
Supreme Court
-the highest court in the land; decisions made here are final
*not required to hear every case; they review only about 90/8,000 cases every year.
Court of Appeals
-hears appeals from federal district courts
They determine whether the original case was fair or should be tried again.
*courts of appellate jurisdiction
*also known as appellate courts
District Court
-hear both criminal and civil federal court cases
*courts of original jurisdiction
appeal
-the process by which the person asks a higher court to review the result of the trial
There are ___ Justices in the Supreme Court.
9
How many U.S. Supreme courts are there?
1 (one)
There are ____ Courts of Appeals.
13
There are ____ District Courts.
94
Original Jurisdiction
-the authority of a court to hear and decide a case for the first time
Federal judges are appointed by the ____________ and confirmed by ___________.
president,
Congress (Senate)
The role of the courts is to…
-use the law to settle disputes
An accused person has the rights to…
-have an attorney
-confront the accuser
-a jury trial
“Innocent until proven guilty.”
jurisdiction (of a court)
-the extent or scope of authority that a court has to hear and decide a case that has been properly brought before it
appellate jurisdiction
-the authority of a court to review decisions made by lower courts
How many district courts are there?
94
How many Courts of Appeals are there?
13
How many Supreme Courts are there?
1
The Constitution gives the Supreme Court original Jurisdiction for cases involving:
-foreign diplomats
-a dispute between states
-disputes between a state and the federal government
Judicial Review
-the power that allows courts to decide whether a law or presidential action is in agreement with the Constitution
Precedent
-earlier decision for the same or similar cases
The levels of the Courts from highest to lowest are:
- Supreme Court
- Courts of Appeals
- District Courts
justices
-judges for the Supreme Court
How many justices are in the Supreme Court?
9
remand
-to return a case to a lower court for a new trial
Opinion
-explains the reasoning that led to the decision
Concurring Opinion
-when a justice agrees with the majority decision but for a different reason
Dissenting Opinion
-explains why the justice believes the majority opinion is wrong
What is the term length for a Supreme Court Justice?
they are appointed for life
What are the two types of jurisdiction?
original jurisdiction & appellate jurisdiction
The federal court system is divided into ____ district courts and ____ judicial circuits.
94,
12
Judicial panel
-a group of three (3) or more judges that make decisions on cases, as opposed to only one judge
Federal judges are appointed to serve ___________ terms.
infinite
-judges and justices are appointed for life
The decisions of the Supreme Court Justices cannot be _________.
appealed
What can Congress do if the Supreme Court declares a law unconstitutional?
Congress can try to write a better law.
Who determines the size of the Supreme Court?
Congress
What court does a person first accused of a criminal act first appear in?
district court
