Random Fact of the DayRandom Fact of the Day In the state of North Carolina, If a In the state of North Carolina, If a

man and a woman who aren't man and a woman who aren't married go to a hotel/motel and married go to a hotel/motel and register themselves as married then, register themselves as married then, according to state law, they are according to state law, they are legally married.legally married.

Chapter 8, Section 1Chapter 8, Section 1The Federal Court The Federal Court

SystemSystem

Main IdeaMain Idea

Three levels of federal courts try to Three levels of federal courts try to ensure equal justice under the law ensure equal justice under the law for U.S. citizens.for U.S. citizens.

I. I. Equal Justice for AllEqual Justice for All

A.A. Courts settle civil disputes Courts settle civil disputes between private parties, a between private parties, a private party and the private party and the government. government.

***Each side presents its ***Each side presents its position. The court position. The court applies the law to see applies the law to see which side is in favor.***which side is in favor.***

B.B. Courts hold Courts hold criminal trials for criminal trials for people accused of people accused of crimes. crimes. ***Witnesses ***Witnesses present evidence present evidence to a jury, or a to a jury, or a judge delivers a judge delivers a verdict of guilt or verdict of guilt or innocence.***innocence.***

C.C. All accused people have the right to All accused people have the right to a lawyer and public trial. a lawyer and public trial.

***If they can’t afford a lawyer, ***If they can’t afford a lawyer, the court will pay for one.***the court will pay for one.***

***Accused are innocent until ***Accused are innocent until proven guilty.***proven guilty.***

D.D. They can ask for a review of their They can ask for a review of their case if they believe a mistake has case if they believe a mistake has been made. been made.

***The goal of the legal system is ***The goal of the legal system is equal justice under the law. This equal justice under the law. This goal is hard to achieve!***goal is hard to achieve!***

***Judges and juries are not free ***Judges and juries are not free from personal prejudices or from personal prejudices or prejudices of their communities. prejudices of their communities. Poor people do not have the $ to Poor people do not have the $ to spend on the best legal help***spend on the best legal help***

II.II. The Federal Court The Federal Court SystemSystem

A.A. Article III established a Article III established a national Supreme Court national Supreme Court and gave Congress the and gave Congress the power to establish lower power to establish lower federal courts.federal courts.B.B. Congress set up Congress set up three three levelslevels in the federal court in the federal court system:system:

1.1. District Courts District Courts 2.2. Appeals Courts Appeals Courts 3.3. Supreme Court Supreme Court

Supreme

Court Appeals Court

District Courts

C.C. Each state also has Each state also has its own laws and its own laws and court systemcourt system

D.D. Jurisdiction-Jurisdiction- A A court’s authority to court’s authority to hear and decide hear and decide cases. cases. ***The ***The Constitution Constitution gives federal gives federal courts courts jurisdiction over jurisdiction over eight kinds of eight kinds of cases.***cases.***

III.III. 8 Area’s Federal Courts usually 8 Area’s Federal Courts usually have jurisdiction!have jurisdiction!

1. 1. Cases involving constitution-Cases involving constitution- If the law applies to the U.S. If the law applies to the U.S. Constitution, a federal court hears Constitution, a federal court hears the case.the case.

2.2. Violations of federal laws-Violations of federal laws- Federal courts hear cases involving Federal courts hear cases involving violations of federal laws.violations of federal laws.

3. 3. Controversies between states-Controversies between states- Any disagreement between state Any disagreement between state governments winds up in federal governments winds up in federal court.court.

4. 4. Disputes between parties from Disputes between parties from different states-different states- Federal courts Federal courts hear lawsuits between citizens of hear lawsuits between citizens of differing states.differing states.

5. 5. Suits by/against federal Suits by/against federal government-government- If the U.S. If the U.S. government sues someone or government sues someone or someone sues the U.S. federal someone sues the U.S. federal government. government.

6. 6. Foreign governments and Foreign governments and treaties-treaties- Any dispute between the Any dispute between the U.S. government and a foreign U.S. government and a foreign government. government.

7. 7. Admiralty and maritime laws-Admiralty and maritime laws- Admiralty and maritime laws Admiralty and maritime laws concern accidents or crimes on the concern accidents or crimes on the high seas. high seas.

8. 8. U.S. Diplomats-U.S. Diplomats- Federal courts Federal courts hear cases involving U.S. diplomats.hear cases involving U.S. diplomats.

A.A. Exclusive jurisdiction-Exclusive jurisdiction-only only federal courts may hear and federal courts may hear and decide cases.decide cases.

***Most U.S. court cases involve ***Most U.S. court cases involve state law and are tried in state state law and are tried in state courts.***courts.***

B.B. Concurrent jurisdiction-Concurrent jurisdiction- sharing sharing jurisdiction and either may hear jurisdiction and either may hear the case.the case.

Mini Quiz!!!Mini Quiz!!!

1. What are the 3 levels of the U.S. Court 1. What are the 3 levels of the U.S. Court System? List from top to bottom!System? List from top to bottom!

2. The court’s authority to hear a case is 2. The court’s authority to hear a case is known as?known as?

3. Why is it hard for the legal system to give 3. Why is it hard for the legal system to give equal justice 100 percent of the time?equal justice 100 percent of the time?

4. Most court cases happen at what level?4. Most court cases happen at what level?5. Court’s ability to share jurisdiction with 5. Court’s ability to share jurisdiction with

other courts?other courts?6. Court’s authority to be the only one to 6. Court’s authority to be the only one to

hear a particular case?hear a particular case?