The document discusses the structure and jurisdiction of the United States federal court system. It begins with an overview of the main components, including 94 U.S. District Courts, 13 U.S. Courts of Appeals, and the 1 U.S. Supreme Court. It then covers the jurisdiction and authority of federal courts to hear cases involving federal laws/treaties or disputes between states/citizens of different states. The remainder discusses aspects like the process of becoming a Supreme Court justice and potential reforms around lifetime appointments.

1. The Federal Judiciary
Dr. Christopher S. Rice

2. Judiciary Act of 1789

4. Trial Courts or U.S. District Courts (94)

5. Appellate Courts or
U.S. Courts of Appeals (13)
Trial Courts or U.S. District Courts (94)

6. U.S. Supreme Court (1)
Appellate Courts or
U.S. Courts of Appeals (13)
Trial Courts or U.S. District Courts (94)

7. Specialty Courts

8. Structure of the US Judicial System
US Supreme Court
State Court of Last Resort
Intermediate State Court of
Appeals
State Court of General
Jurisdiction
State Court of Limited
Jurisdiction
U.S. Court of Appeals
U.S. District
Courts
Federal
Regulatory
Agencies

9. Jurisdiction
A court’s authority to hear cases of
a particular type.

10. US Federal Courts may hear cases involving:
• Cases involving the
Constitution, federal
statutes and treaties
• Ambassadors, other public
• Disputes between two or
more states
• Disputes between a state
ministers and consuls
and a citizen of another
state.
• Admiralty and maritime
• Disputes between citizens
• Controversies to which the
• Disputes between states
issues
US Government is a party
of different states
(or their citizens) and
foreign states (or their
citizens)

11. The case of Anna Nicole Smith

12. Becoming a Supreme Court
Justice

13. The Problem of
Lifetime Appointments

14. Fixing the Problem of Lifetime Appointments
Fixed Terms
Not-So-Early
Retirement
A Balanced
Bench
Power of the
Purse

15. Fixing the Problem of Lifetime Appointments
Fixed Terms
Not-So-Early
Retirement
A Balanced
Bench
Power of the
Purse

16. Fixing the Problem of Lifetime Appointments
Fixed Terms
Not-So-Early
Retirement
A Balanced
Bench
Power of the
Purse

17. Fixing the Problem of Lifetime Appointments
Fixed Terms
Not-So-Early
Retirement
A Balanced
Bench
Power of the
Purse

18. Fixing the Problem of Lifetime Appointments
Fixed Terms
Not-So-Early
Retirement
A Balanced
Bench
Power of the
Purse

19. Fixing the Problem of Lifetime Appointments
Fixed Terms
Not-So-Early
Retirement
A Balanced
Bench
Power of the
Purse

20. Trial (District) Courts

21. Original Jurisdiction
the authority to be the first court to
hear a case.

22. Criminal Law
Deals with offenses against society
as a whole.

23. Civil Law
Regulates obligations between
individuals, individuals and
government, & individuals and
corporations.

24. Appellate Courts

25. Appellate Jurisdiction
The power of a court to receive cases
from trial courts for the purpose of
reviewing whether the legal
procedures were properly followed.

27. Appellate Courts vs. Trial Courts
• Appellate courts do not hear new cases,
just cases on appeal from federal trial
courts.
• Appeals are based on legal issues rather
than questions of factual material.
• Do not accept new evidence or hear
additional witnesses.
• Restrict their review to points of law
under dispute.

28. Most appeals courts decisions are
final.