Chapter 9 11-21

Supreme Court of the United States
- Highest appellate body and court of last resort.
- Composed of nine justices appointed for lifetime terms.
- Discretionary in choosing to hear cases, considers around 300 out of 5,000 appeals each year.
U.S. Courts of Appeals
- 13 U.S. Courts of Appeals (also known as circuit courts).
- Review substantive and procedural issues from lower courts.
- Do not retry cases; analyze judicial interpretations and constitutional issues.
U.S. District Courts
- Trial courts with jurisdiction over federal law violations.
- Hear cases on civil rights, state lawsuits exceeding $10,000, and federal government lawsuits.
- Organized under the Judicial Act of 1789, now totaling 94 independent courts.

Jurisdiction
- Handle violations of federal laws, civil rights abuses, and cases involving citizenship.
- Overlap with state court jurisdiction in some cases.
- Typically presided over by a single judge with option for a jury trial.
Structure
- 94 District Courts in the U.S. with varying numbers based on state population needs.

Function
- Review federal and state appellate court cases on constitutional issues.
- Not responsible for re-evaluating facts of cases from lower courts.
Composition
- Each court has multiple associate justices sharing the workload.

Characteristics
- Court established by constitutional mandate.
- Shapes constitutional meaning and addresses critical national issues.
Precedent and Decision Making
- Supreme Court decisions become law and influence lower courts.
- Landmark decisions occur when they set significant precedents.
Process to Hear a Case
- Uses writ of certiorari for case selection where four justices must agree to hear it (Rule of Four).
- Reviews legal briefs and hears oral arguments before making a decision.

Causes of Congestion
- Increased case filings due to population growth and increased civil litigation.
- Complex legal matters necessitating more courtroom time.
Consequences
- Lengthy wait times for cases, financial costs associated with holding non-dangerous defendants.
- Congestion can violate constitutional rights to a speedy trial.
Proposed Solutions
- Improved administrative management and potentially unifying court systems.

Duties
- Ensure adherence to law and order in court, decide on admissibility of evidence, instruct juries.
- May guide trial proceedings and consider requests for leniency in sentencing.
Qualifications and Selection
- Varied state requirements; typically require law licenses and residency.
- Selected through appointments, elections, or a combination known as the Missouri Plan.
Judges' Influence on Criminal Justice
- Judges play a significant role in shaping law enforcement practices and the functioning of court agencies through their rulings.

Court Clerks: Maintain records, process judgments, and issue orders.
Court Administrators: Manage daily operations and policy implementation in courts.
Court Security: Ensure safety within court facilities, conduct screenings during trials.
Legal and Judicial Support Staff: Include law clerks, administrative assistants, and court reporters.
Jury Staff: Oversee jury selection, eligibility, and summoning processes.

The U.S. court system has a complex structure with multiple tiers affecting the adjudication of cases, the responsibilities of judges, and the impact of external factors such as public health crises on court proceedings. Improvements in management and judicial selection are crucial for the future workings of the judiciary.