CIVICS IN PRACTICE
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Chapter 7
The Judicial Branch
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Majority rule affects the making of laws.
 Laws usually reflect the opinion of the
majority.
 Laws are passed for the good of all citizens.
 Good citizenship involves abiding by the
laws.
 Without laws, anarchy could develop.
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Four types of U.S. laws:
 Statutory law—passed by lawmaking bodies
 Common law—judges’ decisions based on
common sense, experience, and practice
 Administrative law—created by government
agencies
 Constitutional law—based on the Constitution
and its interpretation by the Court
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Role of the Courts in the United States
 Use law to settle disputes
 Assure equal justice for all through fair trials
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Conclusion
HOLT
Question: What roles do the courts play in
the United States?
The Roles that Courts Play
provide fair
public trials
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ensure equal
justice for all
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The federal court system consists of the three levels of courts, each of
which has specific duties
Cases tried in the federal courts:
 Cases involving people charged with
disobeying the Constitution, violating a U.S.
treaty, or breaking laws passed by Congress
 Charges brought by a foreign country against
the United States or its citizens
 Crimes committed on U.S. ships at sea
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Cases tried in the federal courts: (continued)
 Ambassadors and consuls charged with
breaking laws in a foreign country
 Crimes committed on certain federal
properties
 Disagreements between the states
 Lawsuits between citizens of different states
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Organization of Federal Courts
 Ninety-four district courts—at base of system;
jury trials held here
 Courts of Appeal—review district court cases; 12
courts of appeal cover circuits; panels of judges
make the decisions
 U.S. Supreme Court—highest court in the land;
an appeals court; decisions are final
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Role of the Supreme Court
 Reviews cases from lower federal courts and
state courts
 Constitutional jurisdiction over:
 cases involving diplomatic representatives from
other countries
 disputes between states
 disputes between states and federal government
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CIVICS IN PRACTICE
SECTION 2
HOLT
Question: Which cases are tried in federal
courts?
Federal Court Cases
1. constitutional violations
2. U.S. treaty violations
3. congressional law violations
4. cases between a foreign government and a U.S. citizen or the
government
5. crimes committed on U.S. ships at sea
6. cases involving U.S. ambassadors and consuls who broke laws in
their stationed countries
7. crimes committed on certain types of federal property
8. disagreements between states or citizens of different states
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The Supreme Court
The Supreme Court hears appeals,
reviews laws, and strongly
influences American society.
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Process through which cases are tried in the
Supreme Court:
 Thousands of cases are appealed to the Court each
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year.
One hundred to 200 cases are selected for the docket.
Selected cases contain significant public interest or
questions.
Four out of nine justices must vote to hear a case.
Previous verdicts stand for rejected cases.
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Supreme Court justices
 Are appointed by the president and approved
by a Senate majority vote.
 Are appointed for life but may be impeached.
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Judicial review has strengthened the
Court’s power.
 Courts decide if a law or presidential action is
constitutional.
 Supreme Court has the ultimate power of
judicial review.
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Congress can limit the Court’s power.
 Can rewrite laws to make them constitutional
 Can amend the Constitution to include new
laws
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Question: How has judicial review strengthened
the Supreme Court’s power, and how does
Congress limit this power?
Limit
Judicial
Review
Strengthen
It asserted the Court’s
power to declare laws of
Congress and
presidential acts
unconstitutional.
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Congress may pass a
similar law abiding by
the Constitution or may
try to amend the
Constitution.
Congress
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This is a picture of the Supreme Court justices
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Chapter 7 Wrap-Up
1. Describe the types of laws that exist in the
United States.
2. What services do U.S. courts provide?
3. Which cases are tried in federal courts?
4. How is the federal court system organized?
5. How are appointments made to the Supreme
Court, and how long do justices serve?
6. How does the Supreme Court limit Congress’s
power, and how does Congress reassert it?
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