Judicial Branch Structure
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The only federal court that is designed in the Constitution is the Supreme Court. The Court is made up of nine justices, which are appointed by the President. Each presidential nomination goes to a review of the Senate, which takes a vote on whether or not to approve the nominee. The judges serve for live, provided good behavior. The court has the power of judicial review, which allows them to review laws made by Congress to determine the constitutionality thereof. If the court finds a law unconstitutional, it is made ineffective. The federal court system in America exists in three levels. The lowest level are the district courts. These courts have original jurisdiction, meaning it has the right to hear the case first. The next level is the Circuit Court of Appeals. If someone is dissatisfied with the decision in the district court, he may appeal the decision to this court. If he is still unsatisfied, and if the case involves a constitutional question, and if the court decides to hear the case, it may then proceed to the Supreme Court. Therefore, the Supreme Court sees very few cases, but they are usually very complex, controversial cases. |
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