The Branches of Government
Judicial Branch
The Judicial Branch is the branch of government that decides what laws are constitutional. Certain cases are tried in federal court.
Cases Tried in Federal Court
The U.S Court is based on a three tiered system.
District Courts
There are 94 district courts in the U.S. These courts are trial courts and are the first courts to hear a case. They have a judge, a defendant, a prosecuting attorney and a jury. District courts decide guilt or innocence.
Appeals Courts
There are 13 Appeals Courts in the U.S. These courts don't decide innocence or guilt. They determine whether or not a trial court made an error. Each Appeals Courts consist of a panel of 3-7 judges.
Cases Tried in Federal Court
- Crimes committed on a ship at sea
- State vs. State lawsuits
- Breaking a law created by Congress
- Violating the U.S. Constitution
- Violating a U.S treaty
- Lawsuits from citizens of different states
The U.S Court is based on a three tiered system.
- District Courts
- Appeals Courts
- Supreme Court
District Courts
There are 94 district courts in the U.S. These courts are trial courts and are the first courts to hear a case. They have a judge, a defendant, a prosecuting attorney and a jury. District courts decide guilt or innocence.
Appeals Courts
There are 13 Appeals Courts in the U.S. These courts don't decide innocence or guilt. They determine whether or not a trial court made an error. Each Appeals Courts consist of a panel of 3-7 judges.
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land. It consists of 9 justices that are appointed by the President and approved by the Legislative Branch.
There are 8 associate justices and 1 chief justice. They hear appeals from the Appeals Courts and from the state Supreme Court. The Supreme Court can hear any case they want. They usually only hear cases the meet three criteria:
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land. It consists of 9 justices that are appointed by the President and approved by the Legislative Branch.
There are 8 associate justices and 1 chief justice. They hear appeals from the Appeals Courts and from the state Supreme Court. The Supreme Court can hear any case they want. They usually only hear cases the meet three criteria:
- When two lower courts have conflicting opinions
- If a ruling conflicts with previous Supreme Court decisions
- If the issue has historical significance
