Federal Court System
Module 6 Lesson 1 Mastery Assignment
How the Federal Judicial system works.
1. District Courts
Trials are held and law suits are started in the District courts. All states have at least one but larger states have two or three. They hear both civil and criminal cases and are the only only court that involves witnesses. They also have original Jurisdiction which is to hear the case for the first time.
2. Appeal court
Those who loose in district court will be appealed to the next level, the court of appeals. This is called appellate jurisdiction. A court of appeals is located in a federal circuit, a geographical area of US courts of Appeals. No trials are held for this and judges will review from records and what lawyers say. Judges have three choices, uphold original decision, reverse the decision or remand the case, which means to send it back to the lower court.
3. Appeal court
An appellate judge will write an opinion that explains the thinking behind the decision made. This opinion will be a model for other judges to make their own decision on similar cases or sets a precedent.
People In Court
4. Guilty
If a person is is found guilty the Magistrate judge will decide whether to put the accused person in jail or released on bail. They also do the judge's routine work and hear preliminary evidence to determine the results of the case.
Life Terms
Judges are appointed by the president and approved by the senate. Judges serve for life terms, which mean they can serve as long as they like.
Attorney
An attorney is a government lawyer who prosecute people accused of breaking laws.They present the evidence in court and represent the US on civil cases involving government.
U.S. Marshal
Every judicial district does not only have an attorney but a U.S. Marshal. They make arrest, collect fines, and take convicted people to prison. They also protect jurors, keep order in court and serve subpoenas ordering people to appear in court.