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Questions and Answers
What type of cases do federal courts primarily deal with?
What type of cases do federal courts primarily deal with?
What is the highest court in the federal court system?
What is the highest court in the federal court system?
How many federal judicial districts are there in the United States?
How many federal judicial districts are there in the United States?
Which of the following is NOT a jurisdiction of the Federal Circuit?
Which of the following is NOT a jurisdiction of the Federal Circuit?
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What is the process for appointing federal court judges?
What is the process for appointing federal court judges?
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How are cases decided in the Supreme Court of the United States?
How are cases decided in the Supreme Court of the United States?
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Which Article of the U.S. Constitution establishes the federal court system?
Which Article of the U.S. Constitution establishes the federal court system?
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What is the primary function of the court of appeals in each federal circuit?
What is the primary function of the court of appeals in each federal circuit?
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What was the significance of the Brown v. Board of Education (1954) decision?
What was the significance of the Brown v. Board of Education (1954) decision?
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What is the typical number of cases that the Supreme Court hears each year?
What is the typical number of cases that the Supreme Court hears each year?
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Who is responsible for filing a petition for certiorari to the Supreme Court?
Who is responsible for filing a petition for certiorari to the Supreme Court?
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How many justices need to agree to grant a petition for certiorari?
How many justices need to agree to grant a petition for certiorari?
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What percentage of the cases heard by the Supreme Court are federal cases?
What percentage of the cases heard by the Supreme Court are federal cases?
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What happens after a case is decided by the Supreme Court?
What happens after a case is decided by the Supreme Court?
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What type of issues does the Supreme Court usually make decisions on?
What type of issues does the Supreme Court usually make decisions on?
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What is the term of appointment for Supreme Court justices?
What is the term of appointment for Supreme Court justices?
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Flashcards
Federal Court System
Federal Court System
The judicial branch of the US government, composed of federal trial and appeals courts, ultimately culminating in the Supreme Court.
Federal Courts Jurisdiction
Federal Courts Jurisdiction
Federal courts hear cases involving federal laws and civil cases with parties from different states exceeding $75,000 in dispute.
US District Courts
US District Courts
Trial courts of the federal system, with 94 districts across the nation, having jurisdiction over federal criminal cases.
Federal Circuit Courts
Federal Circuit Courts
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Supreme Court of the US
Supreme Court of the US
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Judicial Appointments
Judicial Appointments
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Court of Appeals
Court of Appeals
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SCOTUS Justices
SCOTUS Justices
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SCOTUS Certiorari
SCOTUS Certiorari
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SCOTUS Case Selection
SCOTUS Case Selection
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Petition for Certiorari
Petition for Certiorari
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SCOTUS Decision Process
SCOTUS Decision Process
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Brown v. Board
Brown v. Board
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Oral Arguments
Oral Arguments
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SCOTUS Opinions
SCOTUS Opinions
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Study Notes
Federal Court System
- The US court system forms the judicial branch
- Federal courts hear cases involving federal law, or civil cases between states with disputes exceeding $75,000
- The Supreme Court (SCOTUS) is the highest court, established by Article III of the US Constitution
- Congress has the power to create lower federal courts
- There are 94 federal judicial districts in the US, each with a federal trial court (including bankruptcy courts)
- These districts are grouped into 12 regional circuits, each with a court of appeals to review decisions made by the trial court
- The federal circuit court handles cases nationwide focused on specific issues such as international trade, patents, veterans' issues, and monetary claims against the federal government.
- Federal judges are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate
- Judges' positions are protected by the Constitution, and they can only be removed via impeachment.
- The SCOTUS comprises 9 justices who interpret the Constitution and create legal precedents through majority decisions.
- Lower court decisions are subject to review and potential reversal by SCOTUS
- SCOTUS frequently hears cases related to significant issues like civil rights and abortion
- Justices are appointed for life.
- The SCOTUS receives thousands of petitions for review each year, but the Court exercises discretion in selecting which cases to hear (approximately 80 per year).
- The process for a case reaching SCOTUS entails written arguments from both parties, and oral arguments presented before the justices (who then meet privately to deliberate) before releasing their decisions to the public
- The petition process is initiated by the losing party in a lower court appealing their case, which the winning side can try to refute
- Federal courts are prioritized over state courts by SCOTUS
- The SCOTUS prioritizes federal cases over state cases in deciding which ones to hear.
- The SCOTUS uses a 4/9 rule, where at least four justices must agree to hear a case
- The decision to hear a case is determined by the losing party appealing it.
Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
- Eliminated racial segregation in public schools.
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Description
Explore the structure and functions of the federal court system in the United States. This quiz covers the hierarchy of courts, roles of federal judges, and specific types of cases adjudicated. Test your knowledge on how the judiciary operates under the Constitution.
