Supreme Court

Question 1

Federal Court Structure

Answer 1

Supreme Court > Court of Appeals > District Courts

Question 2

What Other Courts are parallel in structure

Answer 2

Military Courts, Veterans Courts, International Trade Courts, State Courts

Question 3

Original Jurisdiction of Supreme Court

Answer 3

between states, Between Feds&States, Foreign Diplomats (Less than 4% of cases)

Question 4

Appellate Jurisdiction of SC

Answer 4

Decisions by appellate courts (mostly), District Courts with 3 judges (rare), State supreme court appeals (not too rare) in total more than 96% of cases

Question 5

Requirements for SC Justices

Answer 5

appointed by Pres, confirm by Senate. Serve in life and good behavior, no formal requirements. Why would choose? Legal professional theories, record of decisions.

Question 6

Procedure for selecting SC cases

Answer 6

Petitioner makes “Request for Writ of Cert.”, referral to law clerks, issuance of Cert, Rule of 4,

Question 7

Criteria for Selection

Answer 7

case of national significance, resolve conflicting laws, resolve conflicting legal opinions, precedent value, justices are interested

Question 8

Procedure for cases

Answer 8

written briefs (long), response briefs (shorter), oral arguments, conference, vote/decision, writing opinions

Question 9

criteria for decision making

Answer 9

constitution > state law > stare decisis > common law