Article Three

Powers given to the Judicial branch.

Sotomayor

Breyer Chief Justice Roberts

Alito

Kagan

Kennedy Thomas Scalia Ginsberg

Paths to the Supreme Court

From the Federal Level

From the State Level

The Supreme Court

Article 3, Section 1: The judicial power shall be vested in one supreme court, and in such inferior courts as Congress may ordain and establish

This branch interprets and reviews the laws of

the nation. This is called Judicial Review. Remember: Congress creates the courts and decides the number of judges.
Supreme Court Federal District Courts

There are also a myriad of other Federal

Courts for:
Taxes International Trade Armed Forces Land/Property Disputes)

Also each state creates their own system of

courts, but can be overruled by the Supreme

Duties of the Courts

Article 3, Sections 2 & 3: The SC is the court for Treason and crimes involving international ambassadors.

The Constitution doesnt describe much. Most

powers come from:

Congress/laws. Appeals by lower courts that set a precedent. A decision that sets an example for future similar cases.

Arguments about rules and laws occur, naturally. The court system is like an umpire making the

final decision in a fair way, after hearing all of the evidence. They review these laws, debate them, and then individually make a vote. Each side then writes what their opinion is The winning side is the Majority.

The High Court: SCOTUS

(Supreme Court of the United States)
The Supreme Court is the highest in the land you

cannot challenge its ruling.

The Court of Last Resort
Its job is to review and interpret how fair the laws of our Federal

government and the 50 States are. It will hear appeals. If you dont like a lower courts ruling, you can take it here.

The Court will only hear cases that deal with the

Constitution or Federal law, or to set a precedent.

Unconstitutional is when a law is either against something written

in the Constitution, or when there is no basis in the Constitution for that law.

Not just anybody can take its case here. Why? Usually hears only between 60-100 cases per year. SCOTUS carefully selects the cases it will hear, then argue.

Supreme Court Qualifications

Made up of 9 Supreme Court Justices, and

one of those is the Chief Justice (currently John Roberts).

No age, citizenship, or residence requirement. Once appointed, you are on the Court for LIFE. However, you must be harshly questioned and

interviewed by Senate
Remember: they approve of Presidential appointments. This can be a very demeaning (Bork), but sometimes revealing event (Thomas, Miers).

Lower Courts: Federal District Courts

11 District Courts (all over the

country, see map). They are the Regional courts in our nation below the SCOTUS. President appoints these judges for life, too. 3 Judges per district, so 33 in total. Hear the disputes/appeals from all states within their district. They only deal with federal laws and hear the disputes of