The US Constitution
Article III
The Judicial Branch
The Judicial Branch Has the Following Duty:
- Interpret the Laws and the Constitution
The Legislative Branch consists of:
The Supreme Court
The Federal District Courts
The Courts of Appeal
Terms to Know
Note--
The Constitution does not elaborate much on courts, so most of the information here is based on the Judiciary Act of 1789
--Note
The Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is the Supreme Court of the Land
Supreme Court Justices
- Are appointed by the President
- Serve for life during good behavior
The Supreme Court
- Can hear only the following kinds of cases:
- Appeals from the Courts of Appeal
- Cases involving ambassadors and public ministers
- Cases involving disputes between the states
Items with denote that they must originate in the Supreme Court
- Can declare a law passed by Congress to be unconstitutional (judicial review)
- Can hear cases appealed from lower Federal Courts
Federal District Courts
Federal District Courts are the lowest federal courts. Most cases involving federal laws must begin in these courts
There are about 90 district courts in the United States.
The Courts of Appeal
The Courts of Appeal are for cases tried in Federal District Courts and appealed by the losing party.
Terms to Know
- Treason-
- waging war against the US or giving "comfort or aid to the enemy"
The Punishment of Treason is decided by Congress
See Article III in the original Text
Article: I II III IV V VI VII
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