Lower Federal Courts Federal District Courts U S

Lower Federal Courts

Federal District Courts • U. S. divided into 94 districts • Each state has at least one district. • Large states like Texas, California and N. Y. have 4 districts. • Wash. D. C. and Puerto Rico have one district each.

Federal District Courts These courts hear both criminal and civil cases. – Criminal case = crime – Civil case = law suit between two or more parties

Criminal Cases Two Types of Juries Grand Jury Petit Jury • 16 -23 people • Hears charges against a suspect • If they think a crime was committed, they issue an indictment. • 6 or 12 people • Hear and weigh evidence in a trial. • Determines guilt or innocence of the defendant.

Civil Cases Petit Jury • 6 or 12 people • Hear and weigh evidence in a trial. • Finds for either plaintiff or defendant OR One judge hears and decides OR Panel of 3 judges hear and decide

Federal Courts of Appeals • 12 districts for Courts of Appeals • 13 courts throughout U. S. • 3 judges for each court • Only deal with appeals

Federal Courts of Appeals This court can: • Uphold the original decision • Reverse the original decision • Send the case back to the lower court to be tried again

Other Federal Courts • • Court of International Trade U. S. Claims Court U. S. Tax Court of Military Appeals Territorial Courts of the District of Columbia Court of Veterans’ Appeals

Selection of Federal Judges All Federal judges are • Nominated by the President • Confirmed by the Senate They serve “during good behavior” (for life unless impeached) – This protects the judges when they have to make unpopular decisions. – Judges are free from public or political pressure.

Qualifications of Federal Judges • • Highly respected lawyers Law professors Members of Congress Judges on lower courts & state courts Party affiliation Judicial philosophy Senatorial Courtesy