Article III –National Judiciary
1. Section 1
1.
2.
3.
4.
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2. Section 2 – Jurisdiction
1.
Clause I
1.
2.
2.
3.
subject
parties
Clause 2 __________
Clause 3 __________
3. Section 3 – Treason
1. (2 part definition)
2. _____________
3._____________
The National Judiciary
Reference Chapter 18, Sections 1,2,4
The Constitution establishes the
Supreme Court
The National Judiciary
• Judiciary Act of 1789 (Senate Bill #1)
– Establishes district and circuit courts
1802
1837
1801
1807
1869
1911
1863
1891
1925…
Jurisdiction
the authority of a court to hear a case
• Original – the first court in which a case is heard.
• Appellate – a court that reviews a previously tried
case
Structure of Federal Court System
Supreme Court
12 “circuits”
Court of Appeals
94 districts
District Courts
Jurisdiction- What kinds of cases are
heard in federal courts?
• Cases with questions involving
– The interpretation of the Constitution
– Federal crimes as designated by Congress
– Foreign diplomats
– The US is a party to the case
– Bankruptcy
– Some state laws where the two parties are
residents of different states
What kinds of Cases are heard by
District Courts?
• Criminal Law
– Violations of federal law
•
•
•
•
•
Bank robbery
Kidnapping
Mail fraud
Counterfeiting
Tax evasion
• Civil Cases
– Dispute between 2
parties; not criminal
•
•
•
•
•
Bankruptcy
Civil rights
Public land uses
Postal issues
Tax issues
Other Special Courts
(frequently called legislative courts)
Other Court Officers
• US Magistrates
– Issue warrants, preliminary review, set bail…
• US Marshalls
– “sheriff”- arrests, custody, serve papers,
courtroom order, civil disturbances
• District attorneys and deputies
– Government lawyers
• Court Clerks
– Papers, records, etc.
A DUAL COURT SYSTEM
State Courts
Federal Courts
• Everything Else
• Cases
– Criminal law
– Civil law
– Federal statutes
– Constitution
– Oceans
• Maritime,admiralty
– US/foreign officials
– Interstate
– International
Jurisdiction
the authority of a court to hear a case
Exclusive
concurrent
Homework
• Read and note 18.3 The Supreme Court p. 517-522
• Complete #1-5 p. 522