CHAPTER 11
HOLT
Section 1: The Lower Courts
Section 2: The Supreme Court
Section 3: The Courts and the Public Good
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
The Federal Court System
HOLT
Section 1:
The Lower Courts
Objectives:
 What are the role and the authority of the lower
courts?
 How are the lower courts organized?
 How are the lower-court judges selected?
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
The Federal Court System
HOLT
Section 1:
The Lower Courts
The role of the lower courts:
 resolving disputes
 setting precedents
 interpreting the law
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
The Federal Court System
HOLT
Section 1:
The Lower Courts
The authority of the lower courts to hear the initial
trial—original jurisdiction—of cases involving:
 the Constitution and federal laws
 diplomats
 treaties
 the U.S. government
 state governments
 citizens of other countries or of more than one state
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
The Federal Court System
HOLT
Section 1:
The Lower Courts
Organization of the lower courts:
 district courts
 appeals courts
 special courts
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
The Federal Court System
HOLT
Section 1:
The Lower Courts
Process by which the lower-court judges are
selected:
 selected by the Department of Justice or White House
staffers
 approved or disapproved by the Senate
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
The Federal Court System
HOLT
Section 2:
The Supreme Court
Objectives:
 How has the role of the Supreme Court changed over
time?
 How are the Supreme Court justices appointed, and
what are their terms of office?
 How does the Supreme Court operate?
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
The Federal Court System
HOLT
Section 2:
The Supreme Court
Changes in role of the Supreme Court:
 powers grew to include judicial review
 influence over the executive and legislative branches’
ability to pursue specific public policies increased
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
The Federal Court System
HOLT
Section 2:
The Supreme Court
Appointment process of Supreme Court justices:
 The president appoints them.
 The Senate approves or rejects the appointees.
Terms of office:
 Justices can serve for life.
 Each annual session lasts approximately eight months.
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
The Federal Court System
HOLT
Section 2:
The Supreme Court
Operation of the Supreme Court:
 Lawyers file a written brief.
 Justices hear oral arguments.
 They have conferences to discuss the case and prepare
their opinions.
 Justices announce their decision.
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
The Federal Court System
HOLT
Section 3:
The Courts and the Public Good
Objectives:
 What are the issues raised by judicial activism and
judicial restraint?
 How can the courts’ power be checked?
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
The Federal Court System
HOLT
Section 3:
The Courts and the Public Good
Issues raised by judicial activism and judicial
restraint:
 Federal judges overstep their powers through judicial
activism.
 If federal judges exercise judicial restraint, then the
minority views and rights may go unheard and
unprotected.
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
The Federal Court System
HOLT
Section 3:
The Courts and the Public Good
Ways the courts’ power can be checked:
 appointment process of justices
 congressional power to pass amendments
 refusal of states or individuals to obey judicial
decisions
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
HOLT
1. Describe the organization of the lower federal
courts.
2. What is the selection process for lower-court
judges?
3. How has the Supreme Court’s power changed
since the late 1700s?
4. Describe the process a case goes through in
the Supreme Court.
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
HOLT
5. How do the executive and legislative branches
check the Supreme Court’s power?
6. What are some common criticisms of the
judiciary?
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON