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Supreme Court

The highest court in the land.

Federal court system

Deals with cases about laws that apply to the entire U.S.

State court system

Handles cases about state laws.

Criminal case

A case relating to crime, where a law has been broken.

Civil case

A case relating to a disagreement between citizens where no law has been broken but rights have been violated.

Civil

Relating to the rights of citizens.

Jury trial

A trial where a group of 12 people listens to evidence and decides who wins the case.

Verdict

The decision of the court.

Bench trial

A trial without a jury, where the judge gives the verdict.

Court of Appeals

Reviews lower court decisions to see if a mistake was made with typically 3 judges.

Appellate Court actions

Actions include affirming, remanding, or reversing a decision.

Judicial review

The power to determine if a law is unconstitutional.

Federal judges qualifications

There are no specific qualifications for federal judges; they serve for life.

Number of Supreme Court justices

There are 9 justices on the Supreme Court.

Checking powers of other branches

The Judicial branch can declare executive actions and laws unconstitutional.

Legislative

The law making branch of our Congress.

Federal Laws

Laws that apply to the entire country.

Bicameral

A legislative body made up of two chambers.

District in Congress

A specific section of a state.

Houses of Congress

The two parts of Congress are the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Qualifications for Senators

Must be at least 30 years old, a citizen for at least 9 years, and live in the state they represent.

Qualifications for Representatives

Must be at least 25 years old, a citizen for at least 7 years, and live in the state and district they represent.

Senators

Represent the interests of the citizens across their entire state.

Representatives in the House

Represent the people in their district.

Special duties of the Senate

Approve appointments.

Special duties of the House

All bills must start in the House.

Senators from each state

There are 2 Senators from each state.

Representatives in the House

There are 435 Representatives in the House.

Leader of the Senate

Senate Majority Leader.

Leader of the House

Speaker of the House.

Role of the majority and minority whips

To communicate about bills and ensure all members are present at meetings.

Powers of Congress

Include creating rules for citizenship, collecting taxes, regulating commerce, coining money, and declaring war.

9 steps for how a Bill becomes a Law

The proposal, introduction, committee report, floor debate, vote, hand off, compromise, another vote, and to the president.

Elastic Clause

Allows Congress to make any laws they deem necessary.

Enumerated Powers

The limited powers granted to the federal government.

Impeach

To accuse someone of doing something unconstitutional.

Role of the House in impeachment

The House investigates and votes with a simple majority.

Checks Congress has on other branches

Impeaching officials, overriding vetoes, controlling the budget, confirming appointments, ratifying treaties, and initiating constitutional amendments.

Qualifications for President

Natural born citizen, at least 35 years of age, and resident of the USA for the last 14 years.

POTUS

An acronym standing for the President of the United States.

Cabinet

The President's primary advisory body consisting of 15 departments.

Powers of the presidency

Head of the Executive Branch, defend the Constitution, direct the Army, create the Cabinet, grant pardons, make treaties with other countries.

Department of Justice

Enforces federal laws, prevents crime, and punishes those convicted of federal crimes.

Department of Education

Provides funding to public schools and helps students pay for college.

Department of Defense

Keeps the United States safe using the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and other military resources.

Department of Health & Human Services

Works to protect the health of all Americans and offers medical and basic services to people in need.

Department of the Treasury

Makes coins and paper money, helps the economy, and collects taxes.

Department of Homeland Security

Works to protect the country against terrorism and ensures borders are safe.

Department of Agriculture

Supports farmers, ensures food safety, and provides nutrition recommendations.

Executive Order

A signed, written, and published directive from the President of the United States.

Stopping an Executive Order

An executive order can be stopped through Judicial review if a Federal court or the Supreme Court declares it unconstitutional.

Checking Legislative Branch

The President can check the Legislative branch by using the power to veto bills.

Checking Judicial Branch

The President checks the Judicial Branch by appointing Federal judges.