GOV 120 Chapter 5: Gov_120_-_Textbook_no_5
Jack Warner
Government 120 - American Government
Textbook
Fall 2017
GE
Courts, Judges, and the Law
• picture slide 2- lady justice- blindfolded, represents that justice should be subjected,
scales- evidence should be presented, double edged sword- power of reason and justice
• the role of the judicial branch
• interpret and define law
• this involves hearing individual cases and deciding how the law should apply
● Where Do the Courts’ Jurisdiction Come From?
○ article III of the Constitution creates one supreme court
○ congress creates the system underneath supreme court
● 3 Major Steps in the Federal System
○ district courts—> court of appeals—> supreme court
○ 94 (courts) District Court 1 (judges)
○ 13
○ civil- dispute between two parties
● appointment of judges
○ president nominates someone to become a judge
○ senate majority vote confirms
○ judges serve for life
● why life terms?
○ founding fathers wanted an independent judiciary- don’t have to worry
about external forces determining if they have a job- focus on the law
● start at district court
○ the principal trial court in the system (first trial for the vast majority of
federal cases)
○ 94 districts divided geographically
○ hears both criminal and civil cases
● process of a criminal case
Document Summary
Article iii of the constitution creates one supreme court. Congress creates the system underneath supreme court. 3 major steps in the federal system. District courts > court of appeals > supreme court. President nominates someone to become a judge. Senate majority vote con rms judges serve for life. Why life terms? founding fathers wanted an independent judiciary- don"t have to worry about external forces determining if they have a job- focus on the law. Start at district court the principal trial court in the system ( rst trial for the vast majority of federal cases) Us attorney gathers up all the evidence against you. Supreme court the court of last resort- highest court in the country judicial review the power to declare acts of government unconstitutional, thus eliminating them. All comes from the case of marbury v. madison. Manbury v. madison jefferson was very upset jefferson ordered madison not to deliver the commissions to those appointed.