The Federal Court System
Equal Justice for All
We have shared before how the United States government chose to move American citizens of Japanese background from their homes and place them in internment camps during World War Two. The Supreme Court upheld this act of Congress in these years and claimed that these camps were constitutional. The government would later acknowledge the injustice of the camps and apologize. These Japanese Americans would be released and return home to vandalized properties and bitter feelings.
The Supreme Court, and all federal courts make up the third branch of the United States government, the judicial branch. Courts use the law to settle civil disputes and to decide on the guilt or innocence of people accused of crimes.
We have shared before how the United States government chose to move American citizens of Japanese background from their homes and place them in internment camps during World War Two. The Supreme Court upheld this act of Congress in these years and claimed that these camps were constitutional. The government would later acknowledge the injustice of the camps and apologize. These Japanese Americans would be released and return home to vandalized properties and bitter feelings.
The Supreme Court, and all federal courts make up the third branch of the United States government, the judicial branch. Courts use the law to settle civil disputes and to decide on the guilt or innocence of people accused of crimes.
Civil disputes can be between two private parties, between a private party and the government, or between the United States and a state or local government. However the situation may be, both sides come before a court and each presents its position. The court will apply the law to the facts presented and make decisions in favor of one side or the other. The courts hold criminal trials in which witnesses present evidence and a jury or a judge delivers the verdict.
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land, the top of the federal court system. Outside the United States Supreme Court are the words “Equal Justice Under Law” on the front of the building. The legal system has the goal of treating everyone the same. The Constitution gives every person accused of breaking the law the right to a public trial and lawyer. What if you can’t afford a lawyer? The court will appoint and pay for one. Each person is considered innocent until proven guilty and has the right to ask for a review of the case if they think there have been mistakes.
The ideal of equal justice is difficult to achieve. Judges and juries might have personal prejudices or community prejudices. Poor people can’t afford to pay for the best available legal help. Still, American courts try to uphold the ideal of equal justice.
The Federal Court System
The Founders of our nation created the federal court system in the third article of the Constitution. This article established a national Supreme Court and gave Congress the power to establish lower federal courts. Congress would ultimately create two types of lower courts. 1789 brought about the Judiciary Act, establishing federal district courts and circuit courts of appeals. In 1891, Congress created the system of federal appeals courts. The federal court system today has three levels; the district courts at the bottom, the appeals courts in the middle, and the Supreme Court at the top.
The Founders of our nation created the federal court system in the third article of the Constitution. This article established a national Supreme Court and gave Congress the power to establish lower federal courts. Congress would ultimately create two types of lower courts. 1789 brought about the Judiciary Act, establishing federal district courts and circuit courts of appeals. In 1891, Congress created the system of federal appeals courts. The federal court system today has three levels; the district courts at the bottom, the appeals courts in the middle, and the Supreme Court at the top.
Our federal court system exists alongside 50 separate state court systems. Each state has its own laws and courts. The state courts get their power from state constitutions and laws. Missouri’s State Constitution provides for the court system found in our state.
Cases Heard in Federal Courts
Courts can only hear cases from a specifically designated area. The jurisdiction of a court is its authority to hear and decide cases. Article III of the Constitution gives the federal courts jurisdiction over eight kinds of cases. These cases are cases involving the Constitution, violations of federal laws, controversies between states, disputes between parties from different states, suits involving the federal government, cases involving foreign governments and treaties, cases based on admiralty and maritime laws, and cases involving U.S. diplomats.
Courts can only hear cases from a specifically designated area. The jurisdiction of a court is its authority to hear and decide cases. Article III of the Constitution gives the federal courts jurisdiction over eight kinds of cases. These cases are cases involving the Constitution, violations of federal laws, controversies between states, disputes between parties from different states, suits involving the federal government, cases involving foreign governments and treaties, cases based on admiralty and maritime laws, and cases involving U.S. diplomats.
Cases Involving the Constitution
Any case in question to something in the United States Constitution must be heard in a federal court. If a person believes a constitutional right is being violated, that person has a right to be heard in a federal court. If you felt that someone was forcing you to engage in something going against your religious beliefs, you could address this in a federal court.
Any case in question to something in the United States Constitution must be heard in a federal court. If a person believes a constitutional right is being violated, that person has a right to be heard in a federal court. If you felt that someone was forcing you to engage in something going against your religious beliefs, you could address this in a federal court.
Violations of Federal Laws
If the government accuses a person of a federal crime, such as kidnapping, tax evasion, or counterfeiting, a federal court has jurisdiction to hear the case. Disputes regarding the issues over which the Constitution gives the federal government control, such as parent rights or bankruptcy, also go to federal court.
If the government accuses a person of a federal crime, such as kidnapping, tax evasion, or counterfeiting, a federal court has jurisdiction to hear the case. Disputes regarding the issues over which the Constitution gives the federal government control, such as parent rights or bankruptcy, also go to federal court.
Controversies Between States
Disagreements between state governments are resolved in federal courts. If Missouri and Arkansas disagreed over the Bootheel, it would be a federal case.
Disagreements between state governments are resolved in federal courts. If Missouri and Arkansas disagreed over the Bootheel, it would be a federal case.
Disputes Between Parties from Different States
Lawsuits between citizens of different states come under the federal courts. If Monty Zuma of Nebraska brought suit against Barry Treasure of Missouri for not fulfilling his part in a business agreement, it would go to federal court.
Lawsuits between citizens of different states come under the federal courts. If Monty Zuma of Nebraska brought suit against Barry Treasure of Missouri for not fulfilling his part in a business agreement, it would go to federal court.
Suits Involving the Federal Government
The United States government may sue someone. The Department of Agriculture might sue a transport company for outrageous hauling rates. The suit would be heard in a federal court. Private parties can sue the government. The same transport company might sue the Department of Transportation for excessive regulations on over-the-road drivers. Both off these cases would be heard in federal court.
The United States government may sue someone. The Department of Agriculture might sue a transport company for outrageous hauling rates. The suit would be heard in a federal court. Private parties can sue the government. The same transport company might sue the Department of Transportation for excessive regulations on over-the-road drivers. Both off these cases would be heard in federal court.
Cases Involving Foreign Governments and Treaties
Any dispute between a foreign government and either the United States government or an American private party is heard in a federal court. A treaty case might involve a dispute over the way the State Department interpreted a trade agreement.
Any dispute between a foreign government and either the United States government or an American private party is heard in a federal court. A treaty case might involve a dispute over the way the State Department interpreted a trade agreement.
Cases Based on Admiralty and Maritime Laws
These laws concern accidents or crimes on the high seas. What if you came across sunken treasure in the waters off of Florida? In deciding who had ownership of the wreck and cargo, it would have to be heard in a federal court.
These laws concern accidents or crimes on the high seas. What if you came across sunken treasure in the waters off of Florida? In deciding who had ownership of the wreck and cargo, it would have to be heard in a federal court.
Cases Involving U.S. Diplomats
Let’s say that an American diplomat working in the U.S. embassy in Egypt is accused of breaking an American law. The case would go to a federal court.
Let’s say that an American diplomat working in the U.S. embassy in Egypt is accused of breaking an American law. The case would go to a federal court.
Relation to State Courts
For most of the areas just described, federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction, which means that only these courts may hear and decide such cases. State courts have jurisdiction over all other matters. Most U.S. court cases involve state law and are tried in state courts.
In a few circumstances, a case can be heard in either a state or federal court. In these situations, the state and federal courts have concurrent jurisdiction, meaning that they share jurisdiction. Either court may try crimes that violate both state and federal law. Concurrent jurisdiction also applies when citizens of different states are involved in a dispute concerning at least $50,000. In these cases, a person may sue in either a federal court or a state court. If the person being sued insists, the case must be tried in a federal court. Such appeals might eventually reach the United States Supreme Court.
For most of the areas just described, federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction, which means that only these courts may hear and decide such cases. State courts have jurisdiction over all other matters. Most U.S. court cases involve state law and are tried in state courts.
In a few circumstances, a case can be heard in either a state or federal court. In these situations, the state and federal courts have concurrent jurisdiction, meaning that they share jurisdiction. Either court may try crimes that violate both state and federal law. Concurrent jurisdiction also applies when citizens of different states are involved in a dispute concerning at least $50,000. In these cases, a person may sue in either a federal court or a state court. If the person being sued insists, the case must be tried in a federal court. Such appeals might eventually reach the United States Supreme Court.