Judicial Branch - Test Flashcards
what article of the Constitution is the Judicial branch vaguely explained?
Article Three
three functions of the Judicial Branch
1) Interpret the law
2) Settle Disputes
3) Create expectations for the future (est. Precedence)
the 2 separate court systems in the USA
1) State Courts
2) Federal Courts
3 main levels of the Federal court system
1) Supreme Court
2) Circuit/Court of Appeals
3) District Courts
two categories of the Federal court system
1) Constitutional courts (district, court of appeals, and the supreme court)
2) Special Courts (armed services, veterans, federal claims, tax)
Two major types of Jurisdiction:
1) Original Jurisdiction: the court in which the case is heard first
2) Appellate Jurisdiction: the court that hears the most cases on appeal
Federal court that hears the most cases on the Federal level
- “Trial Courts”
- have original jurisdiction
- have juries
District Courts
Federal court that only has Appellate Jurisdiction
- “Court of Appeals”
- no juries (3 judges)
- cannot refuse to hear a case
Circuit Courts
Federal court that has both original and appellate jurisdiction
- “Court of Last Resort”
- hears mostly appeal cases
- can refuse to hear certain cases
Supreme Court
how are federal judges appointed?
they are appointed by the president and approved by the Senate
term of office for federal judges
lifetime appointments!
- until they die or retire
police force of the court system
US Marshals (94)
the person who files the complaint/suit
Plaintiff
the person who the complaint is against
Defendent
decides if there is enough evidence to take a case to trial
- only needs a majority vote!
Grand Jury