The Judicial Branch and Landmark Supreme Court Cases

What is Article III of the Constitution responsible for?

It establishes the Judicial Branch, outlining the Supreme Court and letting Congress create lower courts.

What is the primary role of the Judicial Branch?

To interpret the laws and rule on matters related to the law and Constitution.

What did the Judiciary Act of 1789 accomplish?

It detailed the Supreme Court and proposed the three-tier federal court system structure.

What is a Dual Court System?

The division in the U.S. between State courts and Federal courts.

How do state judges and federal judges differ in how they get their positions?

Federal judges are nominated by the President and approved by the Senate; state judges are often elected.

What are the structural tiers of the Federal Court System from lowest to highest?

1. U.S. District Courts

2. U.S. Courts of Appeals

3. U.S. Supreme Court

Define Jurisdiction.

The authority of a court to hear and decide a legal case.

What is Original Jurisdiction?

The authority of a court to be the first to hear a case.

What is Appellate Jurisdiction?

The power of a higher court to review or overrule lower court decisions.

What is Exclusive Jurisdiction?

The sole right of a specific court to hear a case.

What is Concurrent Jurisdiction?

When a case falls under both state and federal jurisdiction.

Define Plaintiff vs. Defendant.

Plaintiff: party making the complaint. Defendant: party against whom the complaint is filed.

What are U.S. District Courts?

The general trial courts of the federal judiciary holding original jurisdiction.

How many U.S. District Courts exist, and how are they spread out?

There are 94 district courts, with at least one in every state. (plus washshington D.C)

What is the difference between a Criminal Case and a Civil Case?

Criminal: violations of criminal laws. Civil: disputes between private parties over money or property.

What are the two types of non-geographically based federal district courts?

1. U.S. Court of International Trade

2. U.S. Court of Federal Claims

What kinds of cases are automatically pushed to Federal Courts?

Cases involving the Constitution, federal laws, state disputes, or the U.S. government.

Why were the Courts of Appeals historically called Circuit Courts?

Judges would literally travel a physical "circuit" or region to hear cases.

How many Courts of Appeals exist today?

13 total (12 regional circuits, plus 1 for the Federal Circuit).

What is an Appellant and what must they prove?

A person filing an appeal; they must prove a significant legal error occurred.

What are Briefs?

Written arguments submitted by parties explaining their side of the case.

How do Court of Appeals panels differ from District Court trials?

District courts use one judge and jury; appellate courts use a three-judge panel without a jury.

What are the three potential outcomes an appellate court can take?

1. Affirm (agree)

2. Reverse (change)

3. Remand (send back to disticit)

What type of cases does a Family Court hear? (State)

Divorce, separation, child custody, visitation, child support, and paternity.

What type of cases does a Juvenile Court hear? (State)

Cases involving minors, specifically delinquency and status offenses.

What type of cases does a Probate Court hear? (State)

Estate administration, legal validation of wills, and contested inheritances.

What type of cases does a Municipal Court hear? (State/Local)

Traffic violations, city ordinance violations, minor criminal offenses, and small civil disputes.

What type of cases does a County Court hear? (State)

Minor criminal cases, family law, evictions, consumer debt, and civil disagreements under $1,000.

What is a state's highest level court of review?

The State Supreme Court.

How has the size of the Supreme Court changed historically?

It has grown from 6 justices originally to 9 justices today.

What is the leadership structure of the 9 Supreme Court Justices?

One Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices.

What are the qualifications listed in the Constitution to become a Supreme Court Justice?

None. The Constitution lists no specific age, citizenship, or legal requirements.

What is the term length for a federal Supreme Court Justice?

They serve for life, until they retire, die, or are impeached.

Roughly how many cases are requested of the Supreme Court each year vs. how many they actually hear?

They receive around 8,000 requests but hear fewer than 100 cases.

When does a Supreme Court term run?

It begins on the first Monday in October and runs until late June or early July.

What is a Petition for a Writ of Certiorari?

A formal request by a losing party asking the Supreme Court to review a lower court's ruling.

What is the Rule of Four?

Certiorari is granted only if at least 4 of the 9 justices agree to review a case.

What are Amicus Curiae briefs?

"Friend of the court" briefs filed by interested outside parties not directly involved.

How long do Oral Arguments last at the Supreme Court level?

Each side is strictly limited to 30 minutes.

What is a Majority Opinion?

The official, legally binding ruling of the Court, signed by at least 5 justices.

What is a Concurring Opinion?

An opinion agreeing with the majority's conclusion but emphasizing a different legal reason.

What is a Dissenting Opinion?

An opinion written by justices who disagree with the majority ruling, explaining why.

What is Judicial Review and what case established it?

The power to declare laws unconstitutional; established by Marbury v. Madison (1803).

What is Precedent?

A previous court ruling that serves as an authority for deciding similar cases.

Compare Judicial Restraint vs. Judicial Activism.

Restraint: strict constitutional interpretation based on original intent. Activism: broad interpretation as a living document.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Conflict: Madison refused to deliver commissions. Impact: Supreme Court established Judicial Review.

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

Conflict: Refusal to leave "Whites Only" train car. Impact: Established "Separate but Equal" doctrine.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Conflict: Segregated public schools. Impact: Ruled "separate but equal" is unconstitutional.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Conflict: Poor defendant denied court-appointed lawyer. Impact: State must provide attorneys to poor defendants.

Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

Conflict: Suspect confessed without knowing rights. Impact: Police must read "Miranda Rights" upon arrest.