The Federal Courts

The Legal System: Criminal Law

  • Definition: Regulates conduct of individuals, defines crimes and specifies punishments for criminal acts.
  • Plaintiff: Always the government (brings charges).
  • Scope: Ranges from minor offenses (traffic) to serious crimes (murder).
  • Outcomes: Guilty defendants may face fines or imprisonment.

The Legal System: Civil Law

  • Definition: Addresses non-criminal disputes among individuals or entities, including government.
  • Consequences: Losers can face monetary damages but not jail time.
  • Common Types:
    • Contracts: Legal agreements.
    • Torts: Wrongful acts leading to civil legal liability.
    • Administrative Law: Governs regulations created by government agencies.

The Legal System: Precedent

  • Definition: A prior case whose principles guide current cases.
  • Application: Judges apply statutes and precedents to new cases; relevant in assessing constitutionality.

Types of Courts

  • Established by both federal and state governments.
  • State courts: Handle over 97% of cases.
    • State trial court: First court to hear a case.
    • State court of appeals: Reviews state trial court verdicts.
    • State supreme court: Highest state court with appellate function.
  • The government cannot appeal a "not guilty" verdict.

The U.S. Court System

  • Federal Level:
    • U.S. Supreme Court: 9 justices, appointed for life.
    • U.S. Court of Appeals: 12 circuits evaluating legal questions.
    • U.S. District Courts: 95 districts handling factual issues, some with juries.
  • State Level:
    • State Supreme Courts: Decide legal issues like federal courts.
    • Intermediate Appellate Courts: Exist in 40 states to handle appeals.

Appeals Courts

  • Appellant: Party filing an appeal, responsible for showing trial errors.
  • Process:
    • Appeals courts do not hear witnesses or new facts except under special circumstances.

The Plea Bargain

  • Definition: A negotiated agreement in which a defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for fewer charges or a lighter sentence.

Jurisdiction of Courts

  • Federal courts hear cases involving federal laws, treaties, or the Constitution.
  • Original Jurisdiction: Supreme Court authority over certain cases as defined by Article III of the Constitution.
  • Federal jurisdiction is triggered if:
    • U.S. government is a party.
    • The civil suit exceeds $75,000 and involves parties from different states.

Appellate Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court

  • Process: State decisions may be appealed federally if they raise federal issues.
  • Defendants must prove due process denial or place themselves under federal review through habeas corpus procedures.

The Federal Appellate Courts

  • Review about 20% of lower court cases through 11 regional circuits.
  • Final decisions are usually made by three-judge panels, unless heard by the Supreme Court.

The Federal Courts: Supreme Court

  • The highest court consisting of nine justices holding lifetime appointments.
  • The Chief Justice presides and usually has a significant influence over proceedings.
  • Established as the authority to interpret the Constitution and statutory law.

Supreme Court Nominations

  • Nominated by the president, confirmed by the Senate, reflecting the appointee's ideological alignment.
  • Recent Nominations:
    • Trump: Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, Barrett.
    • Biden: Ketanji Brown Jackson.

Judicial Review

  • Power: Review and invalidate laws/executive actions deemed unconstitutional, established in Marbury v. Madison (1803).
  • State Laws: The Supreme Court can invalidate state laws that infringe on constitutional rights.

Judicial Review: Federal Agency Actions

  • Courts adjudicate on regulations from the presidency and bureaucracies ensuring they align with Congressional intent.

Judicial Review: Presidential Power

  • Courts upheld executive powers in specific realms but also asserted their role to scrutinize presidential actions relevant to civil liberties.

Accessing the Supreme Court

  • Established criteria for case acceptance include actual disputes, standing, and non-moot issues.
  • Writ of Certiorari: The primary means by which cases reach the Supreme Court, requiring support from four justices.

Supreme Court Case Process Summary

  1. Petition Filed: Request for certiorari initiated.
  2. Briefs Submitted: By both sides including interested parties.
  3. Oral Argument: Attorneys present and respond to questions.
  4. Conference: Justices deliberate and vote.
  5. Opinion Writing: Majority and dissenting opinions drafted post-decision.

Decision-Making Factors

  • Interpretation of laws grounded in the Constitution and precedent (stare decisis) is key.
  • Political ideology influences judicial philosophy - restraint vs. activism is a recurring debate.
  • Institutional interests shape decisions, aiming to protect the Court’s power and integrity.