Federal Courts

1
Federal Courts

• Chapter Three

2
Jurisdiction

• Jurisdiction the power of a court to decide a
  dispute.
• Geographical jurisdiction courts are authorized
  to hear and decide cases within a specific
  geographical jurisdiction.
• Subject matter jurisdiction courts are
  restricted by the subject matter of the case.

3
Jurisdiction Continued

• Hierarchical jurisdiction refers to differences
  in the courts functions and responsibilities.
• Original jurisdiction a court has the authority
  to try a case and decide it.
• Appellate jurisdiction a court has the power to
  review cases that have already been decided by
  another court.

4
Dual Court System

• The United States has 50 state courts and the
  District of Columbia.
• The United States has a federal court system that
  is separate from the state system.

5
Federal Court System

• Supreme Court
• Appellate Courts
• District Courts
• Tax Court
• International Trade Court
• U.S. Claims Court
• Veterans Appeals
• Military Courts

6
Basis for Federal Courts

• Legal Basis
• Article III, Section 1, U.S. Constitution.
• Article III of the United States Constitution
  establishes the judicial branch as one of the
  three separate and distinct branches of the
  federal government.
• The other two are the legislative and executive
  branches.

7
U.S. District Courts

• In the federal system, the U.S. District Courts
  are the federal trial courts of original
  jurisdiction. Federal criminal trials are held in
  this court.
• Judges are appointed for life by the President
  with confirmation of the Senate.

8
U.S. Court of Appeals

• Originally called Circuit Court of Appeals.
• Exist to relieve the Supreme Court from hearing
  the growing number of appeals.
• Judges serve for life.
• Judges are appointed by the President and are
  confirmed by the Senate.
• Approximately 57,000 cases are filed annually.

9
The Federal Judiciary
Insert figure 3-1, page 63 here
10
Supreme Court

• Composed of eight Associate Justices and one
  Chief Justice.
• Appointed by the President and confirmed by the
  Senate.
• Federal judges are appointed for life.
• Can only be removed from office through
  impeachment and conviction by Congress of
  "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and
  Misdemeanors."
• Neither the President nor Congress can reduce the
  salary of a federal judge.

11
Special Federal Courts

• The Court of International Trade hears cases
  involving international trade and customs issues.
  
• The United States Court of Federal Claims hears
  cases related to claims of money damages against
  the United States, disputes over federal
  contracts, unlawful "takings" of private property
  by the federal government, and a variety of other
  claims against the United States.