#2 - The Federal Court System

Overview of the Federal Court System

• Established through the Judiciary Act of 1789.

• Created a three-tiered structure for federal courts beneath the Supreme Court:

  • Supreme Court of the United States (highest court)

  • U.S. Court of Appeals (intermediate appellate courts)

  • Federal District Courts (lowest level, original jurisdiction)

Role of Congress

• Congress has the power to legislate the creation and structure of inferior courts.

• Initially set the number of Supreme Court justices at 6, increased to 9 in 1869.

Structure of the Federal Court System

• Three-Tiered System:

  • Supreme Court at the top.

  • U.S. Courts of Appeals in the middle.

  • U.S. District Courts at the bottom.

• Federal courts operate concurrently with state courts, showcasing federalism.

State Courts

• State court structures vary by state (e.g., Connecticut Supreme Court, Connecticut Appellate Courts).

• Cases progress from state trial courts to state appellate courts to the highest state court.

Judicial Review

• Judicial review empowers the Supreme Court to declare acts of Congress and state laws unconstitutional.

• Cases can transition from state courts to the Supreme Court, and federal cases can move from federal district courts to the Court of Appeals.

Types of Law

Criminal Law

• Encompasses codes of behavior aimed at protecting individual safety and property.

• Crimes against public order are defined, and punishments are imposed (e.g., DUI laws).

Civil Law

• Governs relations between individuals and defines legal rights.

• Damages can lead to civil lawsuits (e.g., resulting from a DUI accident).

Federal District Courts

• Lowest tier of the federal court system; at least one in every state (total of 94).

• Handle original jurisdiction cases involving federal government or multistate issues.

• Primarily civil cases.

• Each district has a U.S. Attorney, e.g., Leonard Boyle in Connecticut.

U.S. Court of Appeals

• Total of 13 courts (11 for states, 1 for federal regulatory commissions, 1 for patent disputes).

• Only have appellate jurisdiction (no original jurisdiction).

• Review and correct errors of law and procedure from federal district court cases.

• Typically consist of a rotating panel of three judges.

The Supreme Court

• Highest court in the land, consists of 9 justices (1 Chief Justice, 8 Associate Justices).

• Appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.

• Plays a critical role in checking the other branches of government.

• Employs clerks to assist in case management; smallest branch in terms of personnel.

• Ongoing checks and balances from Congress and the Presidency on the judiciary's power.