Federal Court System
Lauren Smith
U.S. District Courts
District Courts are where trials are held and lawsuits are begun originally. All states have a district courts; some have two or three. These courts have original jurisdiction- the authority to hear the case for the first time. District courts hear civil and criminal cases.
U.S. Court of Appeals
The Courts of Appeals is the next step; these courts review decision made in lower district courts. If people lose in the district courts, they often come here. Appellate jurisdiction, the authority to hear a case appealed from a lower court, is practiced. The twelve U.S. Courts of Appeals all occupy a specific geographic area known as a circuit.
Magistrate Judges, U.S. Attorneys, and U.S. Marshals
Magistrate Judges
Decide if the accused should be in jail or released on bail. Hear preliminary evidence and decide if case should go to trial.
U.S. Attorneys
Prosecutes people accused of breaking federal laws. Looks into charges and presents evidence in court. Part of the Department of Justice.
U.S. Marshals
Makes arrests, collects fines, and takes convicts to prison. Protects jurors, keeps order, and serves subpoenas.
Important Vocabulary
Life terms- judges may serve as long as they want
Precedent- model for other judges to follow in making decisions for similar cases
Opinion- explains the legal thinking for a court's ruling
Remand- send case back to the lower case to be tried again