🎟️Intro to American Government Unit 13 – The Courts

What Are the Courts?

• The courts are the judicial branch of the U.S. government responsible for interpreting and applying the law
• Courts resolve disputes between parties, whether individuals, organizations, or governments
• Judges preside over court proceedings, making decisions based on the law and the facts presented
• Courts ensure that the actions of the other branches of government (executive and legislative) comply with the Constitution
• The courts protect individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution
• Courts interpret the meaning of laws when there is ambiguity or disagreement about their application
• The role of the courts is to provide fair and impartial justice to all parties involved in a case

Structure of the U.S. Court System

• The U.S. court system is divided into two main branches: federal courts and state courts
• Federal courts handle cases involving federal laws, the Constitution, and disputes between states or citizens of different states
  • The U.S. Supreme Court is the highest federal court and has the final say on matters of federal law
  • Below the Supreme Court are the U.S. Courts of Appeals, which hear appeals from lower federal courts
  • U.S. District Courts are the trial courts of the federal system, where cases are initially heard
• State courts handle cases involving state laws and disputes between citizens within the state
  • Each state has its own court system, typically with a state supreme court as the highest authority on state law
  • State courts of appeals hear appeals from lower state courts
  • State trial courts (also called district or superior courts) are where most cases begin
• Specialized courts exist at both the federal and state levels to handle specific types of cases (bankruptcy, tax, family law)

Key Players in the Courts

• Judges are the decision-makers in the court system, presiding over trials and hearings, interpreting the law, and issuing rulings
  • Federal judges are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate for life terms
  • State judges are either appointed or elected, depending on the state, and serve varying term lengths
• Attorneys represent the parties involved in a case, presenting evidence and arguments on behalf of their clients
  • Prosecutors are attorneys who represent the government in criminal cases, seeking to prove the defendant's guilt
  • Defense attorneys represent individuals or organizations accused of crimes or facing civil lawsuits
• Juries are groups of citizens selected to hear evidence in a trial and render a verdict based on the facts presented
  • In criminal cases, juries determine whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty
  • In civil cases, juries decide whether the defendant is liable and, if so, the amount of damages to be awarded
• Court staff, such as clerks and bailiffs, assist in the administration of the courts and ensure that proceedings run smoothly

Types of Cases and Jurisdiction

• Courts hear two main types of cases: criminal and civil
• Criminal cases involve violations of law that are considered offenses against society as a whole (murder, theft, assault)
  • In criminal cases, the government brings charges against the accused individual, who is presumed innocent until proven guilty
  • Punishments for criminal convictions can include fines, probation, and imprisonment
• Civil cases involve disputes between individuals or organizations, such as breaches of contract, personal injury claims, or property disputes
  • In civil cases, the party bringing the lawsuit (the plaintiff) seeks compensation or other relief from the defendant
  • The standard of proof in civil cases is lower than in criminal cases, requiring a "preponderance of the evidence" rather than "beyond a reasonable doubt"
• Jurisdiction refers to a court's authority to hear and decide a particular case
  • Subject matter jurisdiction depends on the type of case and the laws involved (federal or state, criminal or civil)
  • Personal jurisdiction requires that the court have authority over the parties involved, typically based on their residence or the location of the dispute
  • Original jurisdiction means that a court has the authority to hear a case for the first time, while appellate jurisdiction involves reviewing decisions made by lower courts

The Supreme Court: Big Deal or What?

• The U.S. Supreme Court is the highest court in the nation and has the final say on matters of federal law and the Constitution
• The Supreme Court consists of nine justices, including the Chief Justice, who are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate for life terms
• The Court has the power of "judicial review," meaning it can strike down laws or executive actions that it deems unconstitutional
  • This power, established in the landmark case Marbury v. Madison (1803), allows the Court to act as a check on the other branches of government
• The Supreme Court typically hears cases that have been appealed from lower courts and that involve significant constitutional or legal questions
  • The Court receives thousands of petitions each year but only accepts around 100-150 cases for full review
  • Cases are selected based on factors such as the importance of the issue, conflicts between lower courts, and the potential impact of the decision
• Supreme Court decisions are binding on all lower courts and set precedents that shape the interpretation and application of the law for decades

How a Case Moves Through the Courts

• Most cases begin in trial courts, where evidence is presented, and a judge or jury makes a decision
• If a party is unsatisfied with the trial court's decision, they may appeal to a higher court
  • In the federal system, appeals go from the U.S. District Court to the U.S. Court of Appeals and then, in some cases, to the U.S. Supreme Court
  • In state systems, appeals move from the trial court to the state court of appeals and then to the state supreme court
• To appeal a decision, the party must file a notice of appeal and submit briefs arguing why the lower court's decision was incorrect
• The appellate court reviews the record of the case, including transcripts and evidence, and hears oral arguments from attorneys on both sides
• The appellate court then issues a decision, which may affirm the lower court's ruling, reverse it, or send the case back for further proceedings
• If the case involves a significant constitutional or legal question, a party may petition the U.S. Supreme Court to review the decision
  • The Supreme Court decides which cases to hear through a process called "granting certiorari"
  • If the Court grants certiorari, it will hear oral arguments and issue a decision that is binding on all lower courts

Landmark Court Decisions

• Marbury v. Madison (1803): Established the principle of judicial review, giving the Supreme Court the power to strike down laws as unconstitutional
• Brown v. Board of Education (1954): Ruled that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, paving the way for integration and the civil rights movement
• Gideon v. Wainwright (1963): Held that the Sixth Amendment requires states to provide attorneys for criminal defendants who cannot afford them
• Miranda v. Arizona (1966): Required police to inform suspects of their rights, including the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney, before interrogation
• Roe v. Wade (1973): Recognized a constitutional right to privacy that protects a woman's decision to have an abortion, with some limitations based on the stage of pregnancy
• Obergefell v. Hodges (2015): Ruled that the Fourteenth Amendment requires states to license and recognize same-sex marriages, legalizing such unions nationwide

Courts and Politics: It's Complicated

• While the courts are intended to be impartial and independent, they are not entirely insulated from political influences
• The appointment of federal judges, particularly Supreme Court justices, has become increasingly politicized
  • Presidents often nominate judges who share their ideological views, and the Senate confirmation process can be contentious
  • The political leanings of the Supreme Court can have a significant impact on the interpretation of the law and the outcome of high-profile cases
• Courts can also be influenced by public opinion and societal trends, as seen in decisions on issues such as civil rights, abortion, and same-sex marriage
• However, judges are expected to base their decisions on the law and the Constitution, not personal or political preferences
  • The lifetime appointment of federal judges is intended to insulate them from political pressure and allow them to make decisions based on their understanding of the law
  • Judges are bound by precedent and the principle of stare decisis, which requires them to follow the rulings of higher courts and respect the decisions of previous cases
• Despite these safeguards, the role of the courts in shaping public policy remains a topic of ongoing debate and controversy