Name: _________________________ Date: _______________________ Period: ______
Chapter 18: The Federal Court System
Section 1: The National Judiciary
Main Idea: The framers of the Constitution believed in the need for a national judicial
system. The Constitution outlines the structure of the federal judiciary, the jurisdiction of
the courts, and the functions of federal judges.
The Federal Court System
Who has the power to create inferior courts?
What are the two kinds of federal courts?
Define inferior courts:
What are constitutional courts?
What are special courts?
Federal Court Jurisdiction
Define jurisdiction:
Under what circumstances may a federal court hear a case?
Types of Jurisdiction
What is the difference between original and appellate jurisdiction?
Appointment of Judges
What is the procedure for selection of a federal judge?
Terms and Pay of Judges
How long is the term of a judge on a constitutional court?
Name: _________________________ Date: _______________________ Period: ______
How long is the term of a judge on a special court?
Chapter 18: The Federal Court System
Section 2: The Inferior Courts
Main Idea: The inferior courts, those beneath the Supreme Court, are the core of the
federal judicial system, hearing nearly all of the cases tried in the federal courts. They
hear both original jurisdiction cases and appeals, and both criminal and civil cases.
The District Courts
How many judges serve on district courts?
How many district courts were created by the Judiciary Act of 1789?
What is the difference between criminal and civil cases?
The Court of Appeals
How many federal courts of appeals exist in the judicial system? How many circuit court
judges sit on theses appeals courts?
What types of cases may appeals courts hear?
Other Constitutional Courts
Identify the Court of International Trade:
Identify the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit:
Chapter 18: The Federal Court System
Section 3: The Supreme Court
Main Idea: The Supreme Court, the only court created by the Constitution, is the final
authority on questions of federal law. It enjoys broad jurisdiction but usually limits its
caseload to appeals involving constitutional questions and interpretations of federal law.
Judicial Review
What does the term judicial review mean and how was it established?
Name: _________________________ Date: _______________________ Period: ______
Supreme Court Jurisdiction
In what types of cases does the Supreme Court hold original jurisdiction?
How Cases Reach the Court
How many cases are petitioned to the court every year? How many are actually heard?
What is the “rule of four?”
Define writ of certiorari:
What happens when certiorari is denied?
How the Court Operates
On what day does the Supreme Court begin its term?
What is the purpose of the two-week cycle in the Supreme Courts term?
What are briefs?
Define majority opinion:
Define concurring opinion:
Define dissenting opinion:
Chapter 18: The Federal Court System
Section 4: The Special Courts
Main Idea: Over time, Congress has enlarged the structure of the federal court system by
creating many special courts to handle cases that are outside the mainstream judicial
process. Each of these courts has a very narrow jurisdiction.
The Court of Federal Claims
How many judges sit on the Court of Claims?
Name: _________________________ Date: _______________________ Period: ______
What types of cases are heard in the Court of Federal Claims?
The Territorial Courts
What is the purpose of territorial courts?
Which territories are covered by the Territorial Courts?
The District of Columbia Courts
What purpose do these courts play to residents of Washington, D.C?
The Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
Define court-martial:
Define civilian tribunal:
The Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
What is the purpose of the Court of Appeals for Veteran Claims?
The United States Tax Court
How many judges sit on the U.S. Tax Court?
What is the purpose of the U.S. Tax Court?