Chapter 18.2 and 18.4 Study Guide
Name:_______________________________________
THE FEDERAL COURT SYSTEM
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Read Chapter 18, Sections 2 and 4 and complete the following outline to learn more about the inferior constitutional
courts and the special courts of the federal court system.
I. THE INFERIOR COURTS
A. What are the inferior courts in the federal court system?
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B. How were all of the inferior courts created?
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C. The District Courts
1. What is the function of the federal district courts?
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2. Judicial Districts
a. How many judicial districts are there?
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b. How is the United States divided into judicial districts?
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(2) __________________________________________________________________
(3) __________________________________________________________________
c. What is the minimum number of judges assigned to each judicial district?
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3. How many judges generally hear each case tried in a federal district court?
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4. What type of jurisdiction do the district courts have? Define.
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5. Criminal Case vs. Civil Case
a. Criminal Case
(1) Define.
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(2) Who is the plaintiff in all criminal cases?
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b. Civil Case
(1) Define.
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(2) Provide an example of a civil case.
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D. The Courts of Appeals
1. Why were the courts of appeals established?
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2. How many courts of appeals are there in the United States?
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3. How many judges hear each case heard before a court of appeals?
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4. What type of jurisdiction do the courts of appeals have? Define.
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E. Other Constitution Courts
1. The Court of International Trade
a. What is the purpose of the Court of International Trade?
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b. How many judges serve on the Court of International Trade?
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2. The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
a. What is the purpose of the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit?
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b. How does the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit differ from the courts of appeals?
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II. THE SPECIAL COURTS
A. What are the special courts?
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B. The special courts are often referred to as the “legislative courts.” In what ways do these legislative courts differ
from the constitutional courts?
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2. _____________________________________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________________________________
C. The United States Court of Federal Claims
1. When may the United States government be sued?
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2. What is the purpose of the United States Court of Federal Claims?
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3. Even should the plaintiff win their case against the government, what must occur before any damages are
paid?
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4. What is the term for the judges of the United States Claims Court?
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D. The Territorial Courts
1. What is the function of the territorial courts?
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2. Where are each of the territorial courts located?
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E. The Courts of the District of Columbia
1. Why did Congress establish the courts of the District of Columbia?
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2. What are the names of the two courts of the District of Columbia? What is the purpose of each?
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b. ______________________________________________________________________
F. The Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
1. What is the function of the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces?
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2. What is a court-martial?
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G. The Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
1. What is the function of the Court Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims?
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2. What is the term for judges on the Court of Veterans Appeals?
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H. The United States Tax Court
1. What type of cases is heard by the United States Tax Court?
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2. What is the term of each judge on the United States Tax Court?
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I. How are all the judges serving on the special courts selected?
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