Federal Court System
How The Federal Court System Works.
The Federal Court System first began when Article III of the Constitution established a national supreme court and gave Congress the power to establish lower federal courts and over the years Congress set up three levels of the Federal Court System, District Court, Appeals Court and The Supreme Court.
Magistrate Judges
Magistrate Judges decide whether accused people should be held in court or released on bail. Each district court has magistrate judges who does much of the judge's routine work. They hear preliminary evidence and determine whether the case should go to trial or not.
U.S Marshals
U.S Marshals make arrests, collect fines and take convicted people to prison. Marshals also protect jurors, keeps order in the court and serves subpoenas ordering people to appear in court.
U.S Attorney
U.S Attorneys look into the charges and present the evidence in court. They also represent the United States in civil cases involving the government. Every federal judicial district also has a U.S Attorney.
Opinion
The opinion sets a precedent or model for other judges to follow in making their own decisions on similar cases.
Remand
Remand is when a accused person of crime is placed on bail or in custody when a trial is adjourned.
Circuit
An established itinerary of events or venues used for a particular activity typically public performance.
Appellate Jurisdiction
The authority to hear a case appealed from a lower court. Each of the 12 U.S. courts of appeals covers a particular geographic area called a circuit.
Original Jurisdiction
Original Jurisdiction is the authority to hear a case for the first time.
Life Terms
When someone holds a position of power for as long as they live.
District Courts
The federal courts where trials are held and lawsuits are begun. They are the only federal court that involves witnesses and juries.
Court of Appeals
Rules only whether the original trial was fair and protected the person's rights. Panel of judges review the case records and listens to arguments from lawyers of both sides.