NAME __________________________________________ Block ____________ Teacher_____________________
Unit Objectives:





Powers of the national Judicial Branch to interpret the laws
Describe the organization of the United States judicial system (with both federal and state courts)
Explain what is “judicial review”
Compare and contrast criminal law cases and civil law cases
Explain how “due process” ensures justice for all citizens
149
Judicial Branch Vocabulary Homework
Directions: Circle the word that correctly completes each sentence.
1. Kira was found guilty of a crime. She wanted a(n) ___ to see if a court would change the verdict.
a. precedent
b. appeal
2. The main job of the courts is to ___ the laws.
a. jurisdiction
b. interpret
3. The __ is the highest court in the United States.
a. Supreme Court
b. District Court
4. The authority of the courts to hear cases from a lower court is called__.
a. exclusive jurisdiction
b. appellate jurisdiction
5. Maria was a ___ on the Supreme Court.
a. judge
b. justice
6. The authority of the courts to hear and try cases is called___.
a. jurisdiction
b. precedent
7. The ___ made up of 12 men and women failed to reach a verdict on the case.
a. judge
b. jury
8. The Supreme Court ruled that the president’s executive order was __.
a. judicial review
b. unconstitutional
9. District Courts have the authority to hear cases for the first time. This is called __.
a. original jurisdiction
b. appellate jurisdiction
10. The ___ in Virginia try major criminal and civil cases.
a. Supreme Court
b. Circuit Courts
11. Matt got a higher court to review his case. His trial will be held in a(n) ___.
a. Appeals Court
b. Supreme Court
12. The court case Brown v. Board of Education set the ___ of desegregating the public schools.
a. precedent
b. judicial review
13. These courts usually get court cases first-___.
a. Appeals Courts
b. District Courts
14. The Supreme Court has the power of ___ over actions of the President and Congress.
a. judge
b. judicial review
15. After Sam finished law school, he became a ___ for the U.S. Appeals Court.
a. judge
b. jury
16. Nigel was accused of counterfeiting twenty dollar bills. The U.S. District Court will get his case because of
___.
a. exclusive jurisdiction
b. appellate jurisdiction
150
□Precedent
□Judicial Review
□Unconstitutional
□Appeal
□Interpret
□Appeals Court
□Supreme Court
□District Court
□Circuit Court
□Jurisdiction
□ Exclusive jurisdiction
□ Original jurisdiction
□Appellate jurisdiction
□ Justice
□ Jury
□ Judge
Highest court in the United States
Courts that review decisions made in the lower courts
Court that holds trials for major criminal and civil cases in Virginia
Courts where most criminal and civil cases are heard for the first time
Public official in a court that hears and tries cases
A “judge” of the Supreme Court
group of people sworn by law to give a verdict in a legal case on the based
on the evidence submitted in court
A court’s authority to hear and decide cases
Authority to hear cases for the first time
Authority to hear cases appealed from a lower court
Cases in which only federal courts have jurisdiction
Not allowed under the laws and rules of the Constitution
To request a review of a case
Power of the Supreme Court to say whether any law or government action
goes against the Constitution
Ruling used as a basis for a decision in other similar cases
To translate; to offer an explanation
151
The Judicial Branch ~ Federal Level
The Judicial branch is organized into a dual court system which consists of federal courts and state courts. At the national or federal
level, the judicial body consists of the Supreme Court of the United States and the federal courts. The U.S. Supreme Court
has no jury. It consists of one chief justice and 8 associate justices. These justices serve for life and are appointed by the president
and approved by the Senate. The jurisdiction of the U.S. Supreme Court comes from the Constitution. Jurisdiction is the right of a
court to hear or listen to a case and make a decision.
The Supreme Court has appellate and limited original jurisdiction. Appellate jurisdiction means that it can review the decisions
of lower courts. The Supreme Court may decide to hear a case or it can let the decision of the lower court stand or remain. Limited
original jurisdiction means that it can hear some cases before any other court hears them. These original jurisdiction cases often
involve foreign diplomats or states.
Other federal courts include the U.S. Court of Appeals and the U.S. District Court. These courts try cases that involve federal
law and constitutional issues. Like the U.S. Supreme Court, these courts have no jury. The court of appeals has appellate
jurisdiction. The U.S. District Court is the lowest level of the federal court system. It is a trial court. There are 94 district courts in
the United States. These federal judges hear civil and criminal cases. The U.S. District court has original jurisdiction and a jury.
Complete the chart below. Check all that apply.
Justices
Judges
Jury
Original Jurisdiction
Appellate jurisdiction
Judicial Review
Supreme Court
US Appeals Court
US District Court
The Judicial Branch ~ State Level
In addition to the federal courts, the dual court system of the United States has state courts. Like the other 49 states, Virginia has its
own separate court system. The organization and jurisdiction of Virginia’s courts come from Virginia’s constitution and state laws.
The highest judicial level in Virginia is the Virginia Supreme Court. Like the U.S. Supreme Court, the Virginia Supreme Court has no
jury, consists of justices, and has the power of judicial review but at the state level. It determines whether the laws and acts of
the other branches of the state government conform to the Virginia Constitution. All state laws must conform to both the United States
and the Virginia Constitution. The Virginia Supreme Court’s jurisdiction includes limited original jurisdiction and appellate
jurisdiction. Its appellate jurisdiction makes it the court of final appeal in Virginia which means all decisions are final at the state
level.
The judicial level below the Supreme Court is the Court of Appeals of Virginia. This court reviews the decisions of Virginia’s circuit
courts. It has appellate jurisdiction, no jury, and consists of a panel of judges.
Below the Court of Appeals in VA is the Circuit Court. These courts have a jury and judges. Circuit courts have original
jurisdiction for felony criminal cases and for certain civil cases that involve large financial claims. They also have appellate
jurisdiction from Virginia’s lower district courts.
The lower courts of Virginia are called General District Courts and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. These
courts have no jury and all cases are heard by a judge who makes the final ruling. General district courts have original jurisdiction
of all misdemeanors in civil cases usually involving lower dollar amounts. Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court has original
jurisdiction in juvenile and family cases.
Complete the chart below. Check all that apply.
Justices
Judges
Jury
Original Jurisdiction
VA State Supreme Court
VA Appeals Court
VA Circuit Courts
VA District Court
152
Appellate jurisdiction
Judicial Review
Powers of the Courts~ Judicial Review and Due Process
The U.S. Supreme Court has the power of judicial review. This means that it can decide if laws passed by the legislative branch or
actions taken by the executive branch are in agreement with the Constitution, the supreme law of the land. This principle of
judicial review was established by Chief Justice John Marshall during a court case known as Marbury v. Madison in the early 1800s. It
is an important check on the powers of the other branches of government.
The Constitution of the United States guarantees that the government cannot take away a citizen’s basic rights without due
process of law. Due process of law is the constitutional protection for American citizens against unfair governmental
actions and laws. When a person is treated unfairly by the government, including the courts, he is said to have been deprived of or
denied due process.
The right to due process of the law is outlined in both the 5th Amendment and the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the
United States. While the 5th Amendment prohibits the national government from acting unfairly, the 14th Amendment prohibits the
state and local government from acting unfairly. In addition, the Supreme Court has extended the due process clauses to protect all of
the guarantees found in the Bill of Rights.
1.
Define the term “Due Process of the Law”.
2.
In which amendments to the Constitution is due process defined?
Civil and Criminal Law
Courts in the United States settle two kinds of disputes or conflicts: civil and criminal. Civil law deals with conflicts between two or
more parties. These two parties are called the plaintiff and the defendant.
In a civil case, a plaintiff files a complaint with the court to recover damages or receive compensation from the defendant.
Compensation can be in the form of money to compensate for an injury or it can be an order to stop harmful behavior. Civil cases can
be heard by a judge or jury and can be appealed to the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court.
Criminal law deals with illegal acts called crimes. Two categories of crimes include misdemeanors and felonies. A misdemeanor is a
crime such as minor theft or simple assault that does not cause major injury. A misdemeanor usually results in no more than a year in
jail or fines that do not exceed $2,500. A felony, such as arson or murder, is a more serious crime that can result in more than a year
in jail or the death penalty. In a criminal case, the court decides whether a defendant is guilty or not guilty of a misdemeanor or a
felony.
The process for bringing a criminal case to trial begins with a crime. The person accused of the crime may be arrested if the police
have probable cause. Probable cause means that the police have a reasonable belief that the person committed the crime. After
being arrested, the person is committed to jail or released on bail. Bail is a sum of money that is given to the court. It allows an
accused person to be temporarily released from jail with the promise that he will return later for trial. The next step in the process is
the arraignment. During the arraignment, probable cause is reviewed, an attorney may be appointed for the defendant, and a
plea is entered. A plea is when the defendant states his guilt or innocence. Following the arraignment a court date is set and a trial is
held. If the defendant is found guilty of committing the crime, the case may be appealed to the Court of Appeals. In some cases, an
appeal can be made directly to the Supreme Court.
1.
What is the difference between a civil case and a criminal case?
2.
What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony?
3.
4.
5.
The plaintiff is only looking for _____________________ in a civil case.
In criminal cases, there must be ____________________ in ordered to arrest and try a suspect.
Which type of case has to go through more steps, criminal or civil? Why?
153
For each of the following situations decide which court would handle the case. Use the following abbreviations to answer the questions.
DC for U.S. District Court
CA for the U.S. Court of Appeals
SC for the U.S. Supreme Court
1. ________ John is seeking $500,000 damages from the big national chemical company that polluted his pond in violation of federal antipollution laws.
2. ________ Marco is charged with kidnapping a young girl and carrying her across state lines.
3. ________ Marco is convicted of kidnapping and he wants to appeal.
4. ________ Marco lost in his first appeal and appealed to a higher court. He argued that his confession was not voluntary.
5. ________ This court has the final word on the constitutionality of a federal law.
6. ________ A man is refused entrance to a restaurant because of his clothing. He says his clothing is religious and he wants to sue the
restaurant.
7. ________. An inmate at the federal penitentiary was convicted of capital murder and being a drug “kingpin” and was sentenced to death.
He wants to appeal.
8. ________ A family sues the school district because their son was denied entrance to a magnet school because of his race.
9. ________ The family loses their discrimination lawsuit against the school district. They appeal the decision.
10. ________ The family wins their appeal because the court says they were not allowed to present some evidence in their trial. Their
lawsuit is sent to this court for a new trial.
154
Lesson 1: Judicial Branch- the Federal Courts
Date:
Essential Question:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Main Ideas/
Connections to Notes:
Notes:
1. The ___________________________________ was created by
____________________________________ of Constitution.
2. The main job of the Judicial Branch is to ____________________________.
3. The courts interpret the laws by __________________________________.
4. The court’s authority to hear and try cases is called __________________.
5. There are 3 types of jurisdiction:
Jurisdiction
____________________
____________________
______________________
cases that can only be heard
in the federal courts
authority of a court to hear
and try cases for the first
time
authority of a court to hear
cases appealed from a lower
court
Examples:
Examples:
Examples:
Issues about





Constitution
Foreign
countries
Federal gov’t
or federal
law
155


Counterfeiting
money
Treaties
Disagreements
between the
states

Rights were
violated in
court
Due process
was not
followed
6. Court cases involving ________________________ or the ______________
are heard in the federal courts.
U.S Supreme Court
Jurisdiction
1- _____________
2- _____________
Headed by
________________
Jury (?)
___________________
U.S. Appeals Courts
Jurisdition
1- _________________________
Panel of ____________________
Jury (?) _____________________
U.S. District Courts
Jurisdiction
1- _________________________________
Headed by a _______________________
Jury (?) __________________________
Most federal cases
begin here
Summary :
What is the purpose of the federal courts and why are there 3 levels of the federal courts?
156
Lesson 2- The Virginia State Courts
Date:
Essential Question:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Main Ideas/
Connections to Notes:
Notes:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________
157
Virginia Supreme Court
Jurisdiction
1-__________________________
2- _________________________
- Headed by state _____________
- Jury ? _____________________
Virginia Court of Appeals
Jurisdiction
1- __________________________
(over cases appealed from the
circuit courts)
- Panel of ___________________
- Jury?______________________
Virginia Circuit Courts
Jurisdiction
1_ _______________________
(over felonly criminal cases and certain
civil cases)
- _________________________
(over cases appealed from the district
courts)
- Headed by a __________________
- Jury? ________________________
Virginia General District
Courts
Jurisdiction
1- ______________________ _______
(over misdemeanors & lower dollar civil
cases)
- Headed by a __________________
- Jury? _______________________
Summary :
158
Lesson 3: Powers of the Courts
(Judicial Review and Due Process)
Date:
Essential Question:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Main Ideas/
Connections to Notes:
Notes:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
159
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Summary :
160
CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAW
□Juvenile
□Due process
□Attorney
□Defendant
□Testimony
□Criminal case
□Misdemeanor
□Arraignment
□Felony
□Probable cause
□Civil Case
□Complaint
□Lawsuit
□Domestic relations
□Plaintiff
□Verdict
□Plea
□Bail
□Compensation
Following established legal procedures to ensure that the rights of the people
are protected
Legal matter when a crime is involved
Serious crime such as murder or rape, kidnapping or robbery
Minor offense such as vandalism or stealing inexpensive items
Hearing in which a suspect is charged and pleads guilty or not guilty
Decision reached by a jury (or judge) after hearing a case
Individual or group being sued or charged with a crime
A defendant’s answer to charges
Statements a witness makes will under oath
Another name for a lawyer
Security deposit an accused person must give to earn release from jail with the
promise of returning for their court date
A person not yet legally an adult (under 18 years of age)
Reasonable belief that a person has committed a crime or intent to harm others
Legal matter that involves a dispute between people or groups of people
Legal action in which a person or group sues to collect damages for some harm
that has been done
Court cases involving family issues (adoption, child custody, divorce…)
Person or party filing a lawsuit
Formal notice that a lawsuit is being brought
To give an award, usually money, to make up for a loss, injury or suffering
161
Criminal and Civil Law
Across
3. Decision reached after hearing a case
4. A defendant’s answer to charges
7. Legal matter when a crime is involved
10. Formal notice that a lawsuit is being brought
12. A person not yet legally an adult
13. Hearing in which a suspect is charged and pleads guilty or not guilty
14. Minor offense such as vandalism
16. Person or party filing a lawsuit
17. Statements a witness makes will under oath
18. Serious crime such as murder
19. Legal matter that involves a dispute between people or groups of people
Down
1. Reasonable belief that a person has committed a crime or intent to harm others
2. To give an award, usually money, to make up for a loss, injury or suffering
5. Another name for a lawyer
6. Following established legal procedures
8. Legal action in which a person or group sues to collect damages for some harm that has
been done
9. Court cases involving family issues
11. Security deposit an accused person must give to earn release from jail
15. Individual or group being sued or charged with a crime
162
Lesson 4- Procedures in Criminal Law Cases
Date:
Essential Question:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Main Ideas/
Connections to Notes:
Notes:
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
163
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Summary :
164
Lesson 5: Civil Law Cases
Date:
Essential Question:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Main Ideas/
Connections to Notes:
Notes:
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
165
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Summary :
166
Judicial Unit Study Guide
□
Know your list of Vocabulary
□ Understand the organizations, jurisdictions, powers of the dual court system
(federal AND ESPECIALLY THE STATE COURTS)
US Supreme Court
VA Supreme Court
limited original and
appellate jurisdictions
limited original and appellate jurisdictions
justices but no jury
has judicial review
VA Appeals Court
justices but no jury
has judicial review
appellate jurisdiction
judges but no jury
VA Circuit Courts
US Court of Appeals
appellate jurisdiction
Original jurisdiction over major criminal and civil cases
judges but no jury
Appellate jurisdiction over minor civil and criminal cases
judge and/or jury
US District Court
original jurisdiction
VA General District Courts
judge and/or jury
original jurisdiction over minor civil and crimonal cases
judges but no jury
includes Juvenile and Domestic relations Courts
 Define due process of the law.
 Identify the 2 amendments which establish due process protections-




1. 5th amendment at the national level
2. 14th amendment at the state and local level
Recognize the main idea of the following amendments and how they are used to establish due
process: 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th
Understand the importance of “judicial review” for the courts
Describe the similarities and differences between a civil case and a criminal case
Identify the procedures in a criminal case ( that follow due process protections)
C
A
B
person accused of a
crime may be
arrested if there is
probable cause
the accused may get
bail or jail
Court Hearing
(arrignment)
- Probable cause
reviewed and
charges are
announced
D
E
Day in court (trial)
End of trial (verdict)
- judge or jury
- testimony given
- given an attorney
- plea entered
 Identify the procedures in a civil case
Lawsuit
•plaintiff files a complaint to
recover damages or receive
compensation
•defendant must respond to
charges
Trial
•if not settled out of court
•cases goes to a judge or a
jury
167
Verdict
•cases can be appealed to
avoid paying damages
if guilty, defendant
may appeal
168
169
170
171
172
173