3. Structure Con’t…
• Set up by the Constitution
• Each of these courts have jurisdiction (the right to
hear a case)
• State courts also have jurisdiction, but state cases
can enter the Federal system through state
supreme courts
• The case HAS to include a federal law or a US
Constitutional issue
4.
5. Jurisdiction
• Original (trial court): Federal—US laws, the
Constitution, 2 or more state governments, US
government, citizens of different states or citizen
and a different state, ambassadors or foreign
officials
• Concurrent (choice of courts): both Federal &
state governments have jurisdiction
• Appellate (hears an appeal): includes Supreme
Court
6. The Supreme Court
• Original jurisdiction:
certain cases in which a
state is a party; cases
involving reps. of foreign
governments
• Appellate jurisdiction:
almost all cases
• Steps:
1. Grant certiorari/calendar
2. Oral arguments
3. Decision issued
7. Who Are The Judges (appointed
by President, approved by
Senate)?
