10.1 The Structure of the Federal Judiciary

The federal judiciary is a complex system with three tiers: district courts, appeals courts, and the Supreme Court. Each level plays a unique role in interpreting laws and resolving disputes, from initial trials to final appeals.

Judicial independence is crucial for fair decision-making. Protected by the Constitution, it allows courts to check other branches and safeguard rights. The Judiciary Act of 1789 laid the groundwork for today's federal court structure and jurisdictions.

Federal Court System Hierarchy

Three-Tiered Structure

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• The federal court system has a three-tiered hierarchical structure
  • U.S. Supreme Court at the top
  • U.S. Courts of Appeals (Circuit Courts) in the middle
  • U.S. District Courts at the bottom

District Courts

• There are 94 U.S. District Courts that serve as trial courts
  • Cases are initially filed and decided in district courts
  • District courts hear both civil and criminal cases

Courts of Appeals

• There are 13 U.S. Courts of Appeals that hear appeals from district courts within their regional circuit
  • The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has nationwide jurisdiction to hear appeals in specialized cases (patent law, international trade)

Supreme Court

• The U.S. Supreme Court is the highest court in the country
  • Has the final say on cases appealed from lower courts
  • Also has original jurisdiction in limited cases (disputes between states, cases involving ambassadors)

District vs Appeals vs Supreme Courts

District Court Jurisdiction and Role

• Federal district courts have original jurisdiction and are the trial courts of the federal system
  • Cases are filed, trials are held, and initial rulings are made in district courts
  • Hear both civil cases (disputes between individuals or organizations) and criminal cases (violations of federal law)

Appeals Court Jurisdiction and Role

• U.S. Courts of Appeals have appellate jurisdiction
  • Review decisions of the district courts within their circuit for errors
  • Determine if the law was applied correctly in the trial court
  • Do not hold trials or hear new evidence, only review the record from the district court

Supreme Court Jurisdiction and Role

• The U.S. Supreme Court has limited original jurisdiction
  • Cases involving disputes between states or involving ambassadors
• Has appellate jurisdiction and is the final arbiter in cases appealed from lower courts
  • Has discretion over which cases it hears through writs of certiorari
• Primary role is to interpret the Constitution and rule on the constitutionality of laws or executive actions
  • Decisions are binding precedent on all lower courts

Judicial Independence Significance

Constitutional Protections for Judicial Independence

• Judicial independence is the idea that the judicial branch is independent from political or other outside influence in its decision making
• Article III of the Constitution protects judicial independence
  • Grants federal judges life tenure during good behavior
  • Prohibits decreases in federal judges' salaries

Importance of Judicial Independence

• Allows courts to make decisions based on the rule of law rather than political pressure
• Protects civil liberties and minority rights from the tyranny of the majority
  • Courts can strike down popular laws that violate constitutional rights (desegregation decisions)
• Serves as an important check and balance on the legislative and executive branches
  • Can invalidate unconstitutional laws passed by Congress or actions taken by the President

Judiciary Act of 1789 Role

Establishing Lower Federal Courts

• The Constitution outlined the powers and structure of the Supreme Court, but left the creation of lower federal courts up to Congress
• The Judiciary Act of 1789 established the basic three-tiered structure of the federal court system that still exists today
  • Created 13 district courts and 3 circuit courts
  • Established their jurisdictions

Defining Federal Court Jurisdiction

• The Act specified the types of cases that could be heard in federal courts
  • Gave federal courts jurisdiction over federal crimes, civil suits involving citizens of different states (diversity jurisdiction), and other cases related to federal laws
  • Gave the Supreme Court appellate jurisdiction over certain decisions from state courts

Creating Federal Judicial Positions and Support

• Created the position of Attorney General to represent the United States in cases before the Supreme Court
• Established the federal marshal system to support federal judicial proceedings
  • Federal marshals serve as law enforcement arm of the federal courts
  • Duties include protecting judges, transporting prisoners, serving subpoenas