judicial

• Civil cases: dispute asking court to solve (lawsuits), criminal case: broken a law. most cases are resolved in state rather than federal courts
• plantiff: party bringing charge/suit. defendent: party being charged/sued. jury: decides outcome of case, normally 12 people, never there for a juvenile (under 18). attorneys: legal service corporation is free
• groups (interest, PACs) always participate in court, try to change policies, use amicus curiae briefs to influence court
• district courts: hear federal crimes, civil suits under federal law & across state lines, bankruptcy & naturalization, decide if guilty or not
• courts of appeals: have appellate jurisdiction, cannot decide if guilty or not, hold no hearings or trials, review if district courts did everything legal
• supreme court: ensure uniformity/equality, 9 justices (8 associates & 1 chief), control own agenda with what cases to take, have appellate & original jurisdiction, rule of 4
• federal judges are independent > don't need peoples approval & vote. pres appoints judges to make sure focused on constitution only, senate gives advice & consent (interview & background check).
• if the pres is minority of the senate > federal judge appts are slow
• pres wants judges with similar beliefs > judges are there for life > once pres leaves his ideas still impact
• supreme court won't take a case if it is: a political question, agree with previous ruling, historical tradition