U.S. Court System Overview and Processes

U.S. Court System - Functions and Processes

• U.S. Court of Appeals Function: Primarily reviews decisions of lower federal courts.
• Legislative Court Example: Not specified in the prompt.
• Highest Appealable Court: U.S. Supreme Court.
• First Step in Appealing to Supreme Court: Petitioning the Court for a writ of certiorari.
• Article 3 Courts: Federal courts established by Article III of the Constitution.
• Supreme Court Case Selection Criteria: Significance, conflict among lower courts, and importance to the law.
• Appellate Court Decision (No Error): The lower court's decision stands.
• Criminal Law Purpose: To punish individuals who have committed crimes against society.
• Concurrent Jurisdiction: Allows a case to be heard in more than one type of court.
• Court Reviewing Lower Courts: Appellate courts review decisions of lower courts.
• Civil vs. Criminal Law Distinction: Civil law deals with disputes between individuals, while criminal law concerns offenses against the state.
• Highest Court in U.S. system: U.S. Supreme Court.
• Trial Court Function: Conducts civil or criminal trials before a judge or jury.
• Original Jurisdiction: Authority to hear a case for the first time.
• Intermediate Appellate Court: A court that stands between trial courts and the state's highest court.

Federal Courts – Types and Roles

• Exclusive Jurisdiction: Court has sole authority to hear a case.
• Case Not Heard by Judicial Branch: Not specified in the prompt.
• Congress's Authority to Establish Inferior Courts: Article I of the Constitution.
• Constitutional Courts' Primary Role: Exercise the judicial power of the United States.
• Constitutional Court Judge Removal: Impeachment.
• U.S. Court of Federal Claims Purpose: Hears claims against the U.S. government.
• U.S. Court of Appeals Accurate Statement: Not specified in the prompt.
• U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Distinction: Specialized appellate court for claims against the VA.
• Legislative/Special Courts: Established by Congress – Not a specific list.
• Military Commissions Accuracy: Not specified in the prompt.
• Federal Court Judge Nomination: President.
• Constitutional Court Judge Appointment Length: Lifetime appointment.
• U.S. Attorney Responsibility: Representing the U.S. in federal legal proceedings.
• Judicial Restraint vs. Activism: Restraint favors limiting court interpretation, while activism favors broad interpretation.
• Judge Confirmation Body: The Senate.
• U.S. Marshal Term: Not specified in the prompt.
• U.S. Marshal Non-Responsibility: Not specified in the prompt.
• Judicial Activism Definition: Active interpretation of the Constitution.
• Congress's Role in Judge Pay: Sets salaries for federal judges.
• Judge's Trial Role: Instruct the jury under the existing law.

Supreme Court Procedures & Philosophies

• Supreme Court Case Selection Factor: Public importance.
• Writ of: Certiorari.
• Supreme Court Case Representation: Solicitor General.
• Supreme Court Case Acceptance Rule: Rule of four.
• Supreme Court Trial Focus: Legal issues, not evidence.
• Oral Argument Role: Present legal arguments to the justices.
• Supreme Court Ruling Enforcement: Executive branch.
• Judicial Philosophy: Judicial restraint.
• Supreme Court Impact Factor: Public opinion.
• Interpretation of the Constitution: Contextual interpretation.