Judicial Branch of U.S. Government

Summary

This video provides an overview of the U.S. judicial branch, focusing on its structure and functions. It explains the role of the Supreme Court, appellate courts, and district courts in interpreting laws. The Supreme Court, with its power of judicial review, is the highest court, having the final say in legal matters. The video discusses the appointment of federal judges, their life tenure, and how cases are reviewed and appealed through the court system. Using an example of a criminal case, it highlights the process from district court to the Supreme Court, showing how decisions are made and precedents are set.

Takeaways

• 😀 The three branches of the U.S. government are legislative, executive, and judicial, with this video focusing on the judicial branch.
• 😀 The judicial branch, as described in Article 3 of the U.S. Constitution, interprets laws and is led by the Supreme Court.
• 😀 The Supreme Court is the highest court in the U.S., with numerous federal appellate and district courts below it.
• 😀 Federal judges are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate, and serve for life unless they resign, retire, or are impeached.
• 😀 There are 94 federal district courts across the U.S., which handle general cases and cover specific geographic regions.
• 😀 District courts have original jurisdiction, meaning they are the first courts to hear many types of federal cases.
• 😀 Appellate courts, with 12 circuit courts, review decisions made by district courts to ensure the law was applied correctly.
• 😀 The Supreme Court hears less than 150 cases per year and has original jurisdiction in some cases but primarily hears cases with appellate jurisdiction.
• 😀 Judicial review, established by the 1803 case Marbury vs. Madison, gives courts the power to examine laws and executive actions for constitutionality.
• 😀 The Supreme Court's decisions are final and set precedents that lower courts must follow, making it the court of last resort in judicial matters.

Q & A

What is the main role of the judicial branch of the U.S. government?

The main role of the judicial branch is to interpret laws and ensure they are applied correctly.

Which court is the highest in the U.S. judicial system?

The highest court in the U.S. judicial system is the Supreme Court.

What is the difference between original jurisdiction and appellate jurisdiction?

Original jurisdiction refers to a court's authority to hear a case for the first time, while appellate jurisdiction refers to the authority to review cases from lower courts.

What is the significance of judicial review in the U.S. judicial system?

Judicial review allows courts to examine laws and executive actions to determine if they are constitutional. It was established by the Supreme Court in the 1803 case Marbury v. Madison.

How are federal judges selected in the United States?

Federal judges are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

What happens if a federal judge is found guilty of misconduct?

Federal judges can be removed from office through the impeachment process if they are found guilty of misconduct.

What types of cases do federal district courts handle?

Federal district courts handle general federal cases, including criminal and civil cases, and are the courts where most federal cases begin.

How many federal appellate courts are there in the United States?

There are 12 regional U.S. Courts of Appeals, plus the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which handles specialized cases nationwide.

Can the Supreme Court review cases from state courts?

Yes, the Supreme Court can review cases from state Supreme Courts, particularly when there is a constitutional issue to resolve.

What is the process of a case being reviewed by the Supreme Court?

A case is first heard in a district court, then it may be appealed to an appellate court. If the case is further appealed, the Supreme Court may review it, but it agrees to hear only a limited number of cases each year.