Structure of the Federal Court system
District Courts:
The district court is the entry point for most litigation. There are ninety one district courts, which as required, has at least one in each state. These are the only courts that hear trials and have juries. Very few court cases are decided by trial, the rest end in a settlement. Each of these district courts have an attorney which represents the United States, and is appointed by the President, with the Sentates approval, of course.
Courts of appeal:
The courts of appeal are there to review all the final decisions of the district courts. You can appeal a decision from a district court if you feel it was not fair or something was unconstitutional. Decisions are usually made by the decision of three judges in the appeals court, but can sometimes be made en banc, meaning all judges are present. In this case, they will take the majority vote of the judges to decide whether or not they will overturn the precious ruling.
Supreme court:
The Surpreme court makes sure laws made at the state level and the federal level are constitutional. The Surpreme Court has nine justices, with one chief justice and eight associate justices. The current chief justice is John Roberts, appointed by George W. Bush. Deciding what cases to decide on is the first order of business. Very few cases will get to the Supreme Court. While mking a decision, all justices will be present. Depending on whom they were nominated under, the justices in the Surpreme Court may have very different views. The justices nominated under President Obama will most likely be more democratic and make more liberal decisions, such as voting in favor of gay marriage or abortion rights. If the justices are appointed under former President George W. Bush, they will likely be more conservatice and their decisions will reflect their political views.
The district court is the entry point for most litigation. There are ninety one district courts, which as required, has at least one in each state. These are the only courts that hear trials and have juries. Very few court cases are decided by trial, the rest end in a settlement. Each of these district courts have an attorney which represents the United States, and is appointed by the President, with the Sentates approval, of course.
Courts of appeal:
The courts of appeal are there to review all the final decisions of the district courts. You can appeal a decision from a district court if you feel it was not fair or something was unconstitutional. Decisions are usually made by the decision of three judges in the appeals court, but can sometimes be made en banc, meaning all judges are present. In this case, they will take the majority vote of the judges to decide whether or not they will overturn the precious ruling.
Supreme court:
The Surpreme court makes sure laws made at the state level and the federal level are constitutional. The Surpreme Court has nine justices, with one chief justice and eight associate justices. The current chief justice is John Roberts, appointed by George W. Bush. Deciding what cases to decide on is the first order of business. Very few cases will get to the Supreme Court. While mking a decision, all justices will be present. Depending on whom they were nominated under, the justices in the Surpreme Court may have very different views. The justices nominated under President Obama will most likely be more democratic and make more liberal decisions, such as voting in favor of gay marriage or abortion rights. If the justices are appointed under former President George W. Bush, they will likely be more conservatice and their decisions will reflect their political views.
Famous Cases of the Supreme Court
Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)
This case defined the constitutional rights of students when three students got suspended from schools for wearing black arm bands protesting the Vietnam War.
Roe v. Wade (1973)
The Surpreme Court ruled that abortions had to be legal in all states and not allowing abortions was unconstitutional.
U.S v. Nixon (1974)
This case ruled that Nixon had to hand over all tapes and papers from certain private meetings in which he talked about breaking into the Democratic Headquarters in Washington D.C.
Citizens United v. FEC (2010)
In this case, the Surpreme Court ruled that the first amendment protected the rights of corporations and unions to spending money on political campaigns or candidates.
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
This case formed the Judicial review in the United States.
Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)
This case ruled that there could be no regulation of slavery in the states and African Americans were not protected by the constitution because they were not considered citizens.
Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)
The Surpreme Court ruled in this case that it was okay to have 'seperate but equal' facilites for African Americans.
Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
In this case, it was ruled that 'seperate but equal' schools were unconstitutional and ruled all schools be desegregated.
Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)
This case said that there had to be counsel provided for people who are unable to pay for an attorney.
Miranda v. Arizona (1966)
The Surpreme Court said that any information gathered in interrogation of a suspect would not be admissable unless they are informed of their right to an attorney before the interrogation.
This case defined the constitutional rights of students when three students got suspended from schools for wearing black arm bands protesting the Vietnam War.
Roe v. Wade (1973)
The Surpreme Court ruled that abortions had to be legal in all states and not allowing abortions was unconstitutional.
U.S v. Nixon (1974)
This case ruled that Nixon had to hand over all tapes and papers from certain private meetings in which he talked about breaking into the Democratic Headquarters in Washington D.C.
Citizens United v. FEC (2010)
In this case, the Surpreme Court ruled that the first amendment protected the rights of corporations and unions to spending money on political campaigns or candidates.
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
This case formed the Judicial review in the United States.
Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)
This case ruled that there could be no regulation of slavery in the states and African Americans were not protected by the constitution because they were not considered citizens.
Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)
The Surpreme Court ruled in this case that it was okay to have 'seperate but equal' facilites for African Americans.
Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
In this case, it was ruled that 'seperate but equal' schools were unconstitutional and ruled all schools be desegregated.
Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)
This case said that there had to be counsel provided for people who are unable to pay for an attorney.
Miranda v. Arizona (1966)
The Surpreme Court said that any information gathered in interrogation of a suspect would not be admissable unless they are informed of their right to an attorney before the interrogation.