The Federal Courts

1. The Federal Courts Chapter 11 Section 1

2. Constitutional Origins • The courts are established by Article III of the Constitution. • Specifically creates only the Supreme Court • Gives Congress the power to establish inferior federal courts. • State courts were already in place long before the Constitution was written.

3. Jurisdiction of the Courts • Jurisdiction: The right to interpret and apply the law; a courts range of authority. • Federal Courts • Reps of foreign nations • Maritime law (law of the sea) • Bankruptcy cases • Two or more state governments • Citizens of different states • A state and a citizen of a different state or country • U.S. laws and treaties under the Constitution

4. Jurisdiction of the Courts • Exclusive Jurisdiction • The authority of the federal courts alone to hear and rule in certain cases. • Concurrent Jurisdiction • The authority to hear cases shared by the federal and state courts. • Original Jurisdiction • The court’s authority to hear a case for the first time. • Appellate Jurisdiction • The court’s authority to hear cases on appeal.

5. Types of Law • Civil Law • Law dealing with the rights and relationships of private citizens. • Plaintiff: the person who file suit. • Defendant: One against whom a legal charge has been made. • Criminal Law • Type of law dealing with crimes and providing for their punishment. • Constitutional Law • Type of law relating to the interpretation of the Constitution. • Federal Court has jurisdiction

6. Marbury V. Madison • Court case in which the Supreme Court established the power of judicial review. • Writ of Mandamus: a court order that commands a government official to take a particular action.