court systems

Structure of the federal court systems

Supreme Courts

Appellate Courts

Trial Courts

Magistrate Courts

Who appoints magistrates?

A district court judge

Who appoints the judges?

The US President

how many circuit courts of appeals exist?

12 US Regional and one US Court for the federal circuit.

Civil Law

the body of law that defines private rights
and remedies to govern conflicts between
private individuals or entities

What are the steps of a Misdemeanor case?

1. Arrest

2. Arraignment

3. Pre Trial Phase

4. Trial

What are the steps of a Felony Case?

1. Arrest

2. Arraignment

3. The preliminary Hearing

4. Arraignment on information and pre trial

5. Potential Jurors are brought into court

What is freedom of religion?

Right to hold whatever religious beliefs one wishes and to practice without unfair or reasonable interference from the government.

Freedom of Speech

Right to communicate information and ideas, includes speech, books,a rt, newspapers, televisions, radio and other media.

What I s right to petition?

The legal claim that allows citizens to urge their government to correct wrong and injustices or to take sure other actions.

Amendment 1

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a readdress of grievances.

Amendment 2

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment 3

No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

When does the Grand Jury indictment does not apply?

In a time of war

Legislature

Branch of government that makes the laws that the court system rules on

What’s public opinion?

What the majority of the public thinks about a topic

How is the public opinion measured?

By using polls, surveys and elections.

What are some factors of influence?

Politics, the type of crime or issue, the victim or the suspect, the media, lobbyists, religion, the public’s knowledge about the issue.

Who has a lot of power in deciding what they will and will not cover?

The news agencies and newspapers

What’s a lobbyists?

People who are paid by companies or organizations to represent their interests to lawmakers and influence the way lawmakers vote in favor of whom they represent.

What are hate crimes?

Crimes that are motivated by prejudice or hate

Individuals targeted in hate crimes are because

Race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation

What’s arson?

Starts a fire or cause and explosion with intent to destroy or damage

Marbury v Madison

an 1803 case that established the power
of judicial review by the US Supreme
Court; the power was later
extended to the federal courts