Basics about the Judicial Branch
The Judicial Branch covers the laws of the U.S. and how the constitution is interpreted. The judicial branch can declare laws to be "unconstitutional", which allows whole laws to be overturned.
District courts
There are a few levels of the Federal Court System. The lowest is the district courts. District courts hear both Civil and Criminal cases. It is the most basic level for cases that involve the federal government. There are 94 different districts, each with at least one courthouse. They hear a large majority of cases that pertain to the federal government.
Court of Appeals
The second/middle level of the Federal Court system is the Court of Appeals. There are 13 Courts, spread among 94 districts. They hear civil and criminal cases that have been appealed from the District courts. They hear cases in order to determine if an appeal is valid. The court of appeals is considered to be the most powerful of the courts, because of the limited amount of courts that the Supreme court hears, and the sheer number of cases that they hear.
The Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is the highest level of courts in the USA. They hear very few cases every year, making the cases that they do hear, high profile and very newsworthy. The Supreme court is composed of 9 justices, who are appointed by the president, and confirmed by the senate. The justices are appointed for life, which makes the presidents appointments a very important decision. The supreme court is the top court in USA, as dictated by the Constitution.
Famous cases of the Supreme Court
1- Marbury vs. Madison.
-Established judicial review. Judicial review is the power of the courts to review any and all laws passed by congress.
2- Plessy vs. Ferguson
-Established that segregation was legal, because the people were separate but equal.
3- Brown vs. Board of Education
-Overturned Plessy vs. Ferguson. "Separate but equal is not equal"
4- Gideon vs. Wainright
-People have the right to an attorney when charged with a crime
5- Miranda vs. Arizona
-Upon arrest/questioning, suspects are required to be told their rights.
6- D.C. vs. Heller
-The Second Amendment guarantees a persons right to bear arms.
-Established judicial review. Judicial review is the power of the courts to review any and all laws passed by congress.
2- Plessy vs. Ferguson
-Established that segregation was legal, because the people were separate but equal.
3- Brown vs. Board of Education
-Overturned Plessy vs. Ferguson. "Separate but equal is not equal"
4- Gideon vs. Wainright
-People have the right to an attorney when charged with a crime
5- Miranda vs. Arizona
-Upon arrest/questioning, suspects are required to be told their rights.
6- D.C. vs. Heller
-The Second Amendment guarantees a persons right to bear arms.