Goal 5/6 Notes: The Federal Court System
Name: __________________________________________________
Why do we have courts? “_________________________________________________________________________________________________.”
To settle disputes (civil cases – 3 types: lawsuits, family law, contract law) and hold trials for those accused of a
crime (felonies or misdemeanors). Judges act as a neutral 3rd party (arbitration) to decide issues, based on the
law & precedent – not their own opinion.
The Federal Court System: ____________________________ of the Constitution established a national Supreme Court
and gave Congress the power to establish lower federal courts. Over the years, Congress set up three levels in
the federal court system–district courts at the bottom, appeals courts in the middle, and the Supreme Court at
the top. Each state also has its __________________________________________________________________________. Jurisdiction is a
court’s authority to _______________________________________________________________________________. Original Jurisdiction:
authority to hear a case first. Appellate Jurisdiction: authority to review the decisions of a court having
original jurisdiction. Concurrent Jurisdiction: two courts _____________________________________________________________
to hear the case. Exclusive Jurisdiction: only federal courts may hear the case. The Constitution gives federal
courts jurisdiction over eight kinds of cases. 1. If the law in question applies to the US ______________________________
2. Cases involving violation of federal laws. 3. Any disagreement between 2 state governments. 4. Lawsuits
between citizens of different states. 5. If the US government sues someone or someone sues the U.S. government
6. Disputes between a ________________________________________________ and either the U.S. government or an American
private party. 7. Admiralty and maritime laws concern accidents or crimes on the high seas. 8. Cases involving
___________________________________.
Levels of Federal Courts: ________________________________________ - are the federal courts where trials are held and
lawsuits are begun (Original Jurisdiction in these cases). _____________________________________________________ - review
decisions made in lower district courts. (Appellate Jurisdiction). ____________________________________________ – highest
court in the US and hears cases of significance (Appellate [after US Court of Appeals] and Exclusive in cases
involving the Constitution)
U.S. District Courts: All states have at least one. For all federal cases, district courts have original jurisdiction,
the authority to ___________________________________________________________________________. District courts hear both civil
and criminal cases. They are the only federal courts that involve witnesses and juries. _____________________________:
jury that is unable to decide a verdict. _________________________________: trial with no jury – only a judge
U.S. Court of Appeals: People who lose in a district court often _______________________________________________________
____________________–a U.S. court of appeals. This is appellate jurisdiction–the authority to hear a case appealed
from a lower court. There are no juries. Guilt/innocence is not decided here – only if due process was followed.
They can make 3 choices: ___________________________________________________________. Remand the case to a lower court
(to have another trial). _____________________________________________ of the district court. Most appeals court decisions
are final. A few cases are appealed to the ___________________________________________. One appellate judge writes an
opinion that explains the legal thinking behind the court’s decision in the case. The opinion sets a precedent or
model for other judges to follow in making their own decisions on similar cases. A judge may write a dissenting
opinion if they ________________________________________________________________________________.
US Supreme Court: Highest court of the United States. Part of the Judicial Branch – _________________________________
Has power of judicial review of federal laws. Marbury v. Madison (1803) gave them this power. 9 Supreme
Court justices appointed for life by the President (_____________________________________________________________). Can be
removed only through impeachment
North Carolina State Courts
NC District Court: original jurisdiction - Hears ___________________________________ and civil cases of less than $10,00
NC Superior Court: original jurisdiction - Hears cases in which felony crimes have been committed and civil
cases of __________________________________________________
NC Court of Appeals: appellate jurisdiction - Reviews cases from lower courts
NC Supreme Court: Appellate jurisdiction – hears appeals cases after NC Court of Appeals; exclusive
jurisdiction for cases involving the _____________________________________________________.
Jurisdiction Practice – Which court would these cases go to? Be specific. Federal – US District, US Court of
Appeals, or US Supreme Court. State – NC District, NC Superior, NC Court of Appeals, NC Supreme.
____________________________________ 1. Martin sues Wake County public schools for $250,000 after he suffered 3 rd
degree burns in a fire at Knightdale High School.
____________________________________ 2. Brooke is found guilty of killing three people in three different states and
want to appeal her verdict.
____________________________________ 3. Renee sues the US government for her husband’s death in the Iraq War.
____________________________________ 4. Parents press charges against North Carolina in the Leandro cases because
they are concerned that NC is not giving their children the education guaranteed to them in the NC Constitution.
____________________________________ 5. Miranda arguesd that he did not know what his rights were that were listed in
the US Constitution, so he appeals his case.
____________________________________ 6. Robert commits a felony by kidnapping his little sister.
____________________________________ 7. Caroline steals a sweater from a local Raleigh store.
____________________________________ 8. Caroline appeals her case after she is found guilty of stealing a sweater from a
local Raleigh store.
____________________________________ 9. Two US diplomats are accused of abusing their power and are put on trial.
____________________________________ 10. Parents sue a local Knightdale restaurant for $9,000 for making their
children fat.
Create a poster outlining the Judicial Branch. Top ½ of the poster – Federal Courts: Include the 3 levels
of federal courts, what their jurisdiction is, and an example of a case each court might hear. Bottom ½ of
the poster – NC Courts: Include the 4 levels of NC courts, what their jurisdiction is, and an example of a
case each court might hear. Also label each court (federal and NC) as a trial court or an appeals court.
Turn in the poster when you finish!