Federal Court System
How Does it Work?
People Involved
US Attorney - Every district also has a US attorney. A government lawyer who prosecutes people accused of breaking federal laws, they look into the charges and present the evidence in court. They also represent the US in civil cases.
Magistrate Judge - Decide whether accused people should be held in jail or released on bail. They hear preliminary evidence and decide whether or not it should go to trial.
Jurisdiction
Original - The authority to hear a case for the first time
Courts
Court of Appeals - A higher level of court, when people lose in district court they will more up to the Court of Appeals
Circuit - 12 US courts of Appeals covers a particular geographic area
Opinion - Appellate Judge writes an opinion that explains the legal thinking behind the courts decision
Precedent - The opinion sets a precedent for other judges to follow in making their own decisions on similar cases
Extra
Life Terms - When someone can hold office for as long as they would like