Question
click below
click below
Question
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Courts 2
pg. 511-14
Question | Answer |
---|---|
2) 1a. How was the SC created? | The Constitution specified that there would be a SC. |
2) 1b. How were the "lower federal courts" created? | It was left up to Congress, who in 1789 created the lower federal courts |
2) 2. What are the three "levels" of the federal or "constitutional" courts? | district, courts of appeals, and the SC |
2) 3. Contrast original and appellate jurisdiction. | Original - hear a case first and determine the facts about a case (90%). Appellate - hear cases brought to them on appeal from a lower court. Do not review the factual record, only the legal issues involved. |
2) 4a. What is the "entry point" of the federal courts? | district courts |
2) 4b. How many of these courts are there and what is true of where they are located? | 91, with at least 1 in each state, 1 in DC, and 1 in Puerto Rico |
2) 4c. What is their jurisdiction (original or appellate)? | original |
2) 4d. They are the only federal courts which do what two things? | hold trials and impanel judges |
2) 4e. In total, approximately how many federal district judges are there? | 675 |
2) 5a. What is true of 98% of criminal cases? | 98% are heard in state and local court systems, not in federal courts. |
2) 5b. How do most federal criminal cases end? | Many don't have a trial, and most enter guilty pleas as part of a bargain to receive a lighter punishment |
2) 6. Provide two responsibilities of the federal district courts. | supervision of bankruptcy proceedings and admiralty and maritime law cases. |
2) 7. Explain the role of U.S. attorneys. | Prosecute violations of federal law and represent the US government in civil cases. |
2) 8a. What are the US court of appeals empowered to do? | Review all final decisions of district courts (except when the law provides for direct review by the SC |
2) 8b. How many US courts of appeal exist? (judicial circuits) | 12 judicial circuits |
2) 8c. In total, how many federal judges are there in the US court of appeals? | 179 federal judges |
2) 8d. Using figure 15.2, explain what is true of the areas covered by the federal appeals courts. | They vary considerably in size. |
2) 8e. What is the jurisdiction of the courts of appeals (original or appellate); what do they not do? | appellate; they do not hold trials or hear testimony |
2) 8f. California is covered by the (what) circuit court of appeals? | 9 |
2) 8g. How many states does the above cover (California is covered by the (what) circuit court of appeals?)? | 8 |