1. JUDICIAL BRANCH a.k.a. The National Judiciary

6. 2 COURTS SIMPLIFIED CONGRESS + COURTS = SPECIAL COURTS CONSTITUIONAL COURTS Supreme Court – Highest Court of Appeals – Medium District Courts - Lowest

7. JURISDICTION Jurisdiction: The court who hears the case. Cases heard by the Judicial Branch deal with National Issues. Types: Original - the first to hear a case Appellate - hears cases that have already been decided and the losing party wants another chance to prove their point. Exclusive – the only court that can hear the case. Concurrent – the case is heard at the state level first and then at the national level.

9. CONSTITUTIONAL COURTS Supreme Court – a.k.a The highest court in the land. District Courts Lower of the Inferior Courts. There are only 94 of District Courts. These rulings are normally the final say. Every case heard by the Supreme Court had to start here. Appellate Courts Decide if a case should be passed onto the Supreme Court.

13. “ Gatekeepers” to the Supreme Court. Relieve the Supreme Court of much of the burden of hearing appeals from the District Courts Court of Appeals decides: 1. If the case should be overturned. 2. If the case will be passed on to the Supreme Court. The Appeals Court does NOT hear cases. There are NO defendants, NO Persecutors, NO Lawyers. 12 Appellate Courts

14. SUPREME COURT a.k.a. The Highest Court in the Land. Hear Constitutional Cases. Cases must have gone through the Inferior Courts. Majority Vote needed to win. (5)

15. Convenes: When: The first Monday in October Length of session: Approximately 9 Months Hear Cases: Monday through Thursday Decisions: Announced the following Monday Justices: Who: Judges on the Supreme Court Term: Life or until reassignment Appointment: Nominated by the President, Confirmed by Senate Number: 9 Justices 1 Chief Justice 8 Assistant Justices