Court Jurisdiction: Matters Of Constitution

The US Constitution establishes the federal judiciary, which includes the Supreme Court and lower federal courts. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the US and plays a crucial role in the constitutional system of government. It has the power of judicial review, which allows it to declare acts of Congress or the Executive Branch as unconstitutional. The Supreme Court hears a small percentage of the thousands of cases it is requested to review each year, and it can choose to hear cases involving conflicting decisions or egregious errors. Below the Supreme Court are 13 appellate courts or courts of appeals, which decide whether the law was correctly applied in the trial court. The US Constitution also establishes the federal court system, which includes 94 district or trial courts that resolve disputes by determining facts and applying the law. These courts handle matters arising under the Constitution, federal laws, and disputes between states or residents of different states.

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The US Supreme Court

> "The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish."

Article III, Section II establishes the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, or its legal ability to hear a case. The Court has original jurisdiction over certain cases, such as suits between two or more states, and cases involving ambassadors and other public ministers. It has appellate jurisdiction over almost any other case that involves a point of constitutional and/or federal law.

The Supreme Court plays a crucial role in the constitutional system of government. As the highest court in the land, it is the court of last resort for those seeking justice. Its power of judicial review ensures that each branch of government recognises the limits of its power. It also protects civil rights and liberties by striking down laws that violate the Constitution.

The Supreme Court is not required to hear every case that is submitted to it. In fact, it hears only about 100-150 of the more than 7,000 cases it is asked to review each year. The Certiorari Act of 1925 gives the Court the discretion to decide whether or not to hear a case. If the Court does not hear a case, the decision of the Court of Appeals is retained.

The Court's members are referred to as "justices". They are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate for a life term. There are nine justices on the court: one chief justice and eight associate justices.

Federal courts

The federal court system in the United States comprises the Supreme Court and lower federal courts, namely circuit and district courts. Federal courts decide matters related to the Constitution, federal laws, disputes between states, and disputes involving more than $75,000 between residents of different states.

Article III of the U.S. Constitution establishes the federal judiciary, with the Supreme Court at its apex. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land and the court of last resort for those seeking justice. It plays a crucial role in ensuring that each branch of the government recognises the limits of its power. It also protects civil rights and liberties by striking down laws that violate the Constitution. The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over certain cases, such as suits between two or more states or cases involving ambassadors. It also has appellate jurisdiction, allowing it to hear cases on appeal involving constitutional or federal law.

The lower federal courts include 13 appellate courts, also known as U.S. courts of appeals, and 94 district or trial courts, known as U.S. district courts. The appellate courts review decisions made by lower courts to determine if the law was applied correctly. District courts, on the other hand, resolve disputes by establishing the facts and applying the relevant laws. Federal district courts are the starting point for cases arising under federal statutes, the Constitution, or treaties, and they have original jurisdiction in such cases.

State courts

The US Constitution establishes a federal system of government, where power is shared between the federal government and state governments. Both federal and state governments have their own court systems. State courts have general jurisdiction, meaning they have the authority over all kinds of cases. This includes criminal cases and disputes between residents of the same state, which are heard in the state where the incident occurred. State courts also handle contract cases, family law matters, and traffic violations.

State supreme courts are the "courts of last resort" for state matters, having the final say over all state rulings. In some cases, there is an overlap between federal and state court jurisdiction, and parties may choose which court hears their case. If the plaintiff chooses a state court, the defendant may sometimes opt to "remove" the case to a federal court.

State laws that limit religion, speech, and other fundamental rights are subject to review by the Supreme Court. While state governments may enact more restrictive laws than the Constitution and federal law, they cannot enact less restrictive laws. The Supreme Court can review cases from both federal and state court systems, ensuring a unified interpretation of constitutional and federal legal principles.

The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land and has the power of judicial review, or the ability to declare a Legislative or Executive act in violation of the Constitution. The Court's jurisdiction may be original or appellate. Original jurisdiction means the Supreme Court can hear a case directly without it going through lower courts first. This applies to specific cases, such as those involving disputes between different states or diplomats from foreign countries. Most cases come to the Supreme Court on appeal, where it reviews decisions made by lower courts.

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District courts

The federal court system in the United States has three main levels: district courts, circuit courts, and the Supreme Court. There are 94 district courts, also known as trial courts, across the country.

The Supreme Court, on the other hand, is the highest court in the United States and serves as the final level of appeal in the federal system. It plays a crucial role in the constitutional system of government. The Court's power of judicial review allows it to declare a Legislative or Executive act in violation of the Constitution and ensure that each branch of government recognizes its limits. The Supreme Court also protects civil rights and liberties by striking down laws that violate the Constitution.

Court of Appeals

The U.S. Constitution establishes the judicial branch as one of the three distinct branches of the federal government. The federal court system has three main levels: district courts, circuit courts, and the Supreme Court of the United States.

The U.S. Courts of Appeals, also known as circuit courts, are the first level of appeal. There are 13 appellate courts that sit below the U.S. Supreme Court, and they are called U.S. courts of appeals. The nation’s 94 district or trial courts are called U.S. district courts. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit is a unique 13th appellate panel with nationwide jurisdiction to hear appeals in specialized cases.

The U.S. Courts of Appeals routinely handle more than 50,000 cases each year. The vast majority of decisions made by the courts of appeals are final and binding on lower courts within the same circuit. The courts of appeals do not hold trials, hear new evidence, or witness testimonies, and there is no jury. Instead, they review decisions made by trial courts and federal agencies to determine if the law was applied correctly.

In a court of appeals, an appeal is typically heard by a "panel" of three randomly selected judges. In rare cases, certain appeals may be considered by the entire circuit court in a process called an "en banc hearing." The Court of Appeals is New York State's highest court and court of last resort in most cases.

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