Ch 10: The Judicial Branch of the U.S.
About This Chapter
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Anyone who needs help learning or mastering U.S. judicial branch material will benefit from the lessons in this chapter. There is no faster or easier way to learn about the judicial branch of the United States. Among those who would benefit are:
- Students who have fallen behind in understanding the structure and function of the U.S. judicial branch
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Students Will Review:
This chapter helps students review the concepts in a U.S. judicial branch unit of a standard civics course. Topics covered include:
- Levels of the federal court system
- Authority of the federal judiciary
- Structure of the state court system
- Steps in the appellate process
- Checks and balances on the Supreme Court's power
- Difference between original and appellate jurisdiction
- Selection process for federal judges
- Use of strategic litigation by interest groups
1. The Federal Court System of the United States: Definition, Structure & Levels
The United States has two separate court systems: the federal and the state. This lesson explores the federal court system of the Unites States, including its structure and jurisdiction.
2. The Power of the Federal Judiciary: Sources & Consequences
Federal judges and Supreme Court justices make their decisions using different rationales and theories. This lesson explores the power of the federal judiciary, including a discussion of judicial review and judicial activism.
3. The State Court System of the United States: Definition & Structure
The United States has two separate court systems: the federal and the state. Each state has its own set of state courts. This lesson explains state courts, including the structure and jurisdiction of state court systems.
4. Judicial Decision Making: Steps & Participants
A case will go through several steps before it can reach the U.S. Supreme Court. This lesson explains the participants, steps, and decision making involved in the appellate process. We will examine how a case can end up in the U.S. Supreme Court.
5. Constitutional Checks & Balances on the Power of the Supreme Court: Definition & Examples
Our federal government is divided into three branches. Each of the three branches holds certain checks and balances on the other two branches. This lesson explores the major checks and balances on the power of the United States Supreme Court.
6. Original Versus Appellate Jurisdiction: Definition & Differences
Federal courts can have either original jurisdiction or appellate jurisdiction. Some courts have both types of jurisdiction. This lesson explains the difference between original jurisdiction and appellate jurisdiction in the federal court system.
7. The Selection of Supreme Court Justices and Federal Judges: Process & Tenure
All federal judges are appointed by the United States President, and must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate, including the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court. This lesson explains the process of selecting federal judges and their tenure once selected.
8. Interest-Group Litigation Strategies: Ways to Influence Policy
Interest groups achieve their goals through a number of different ways. One strategy uses litigation in order to influence policy. This lesson explains the use of litigation by interest groups.
9. Removal for Cause: Definition & Law
Jury members are screened and sometimes removed from the jury pool if an attorney feels they might be biased. In this lesson we will look at the jury selection process and see how removal for cause helps to create a fair and impartial jury.
10. How to Write a Letter to a Judge
Interested in writing a letter to a judge? What do you include and how do you ensure that your letter is taken seriously? This lesson will explore common letters sent to judges, contents of professional letters, and how to address a judge.
11. What is Collateral Estoppel? - Definition, Doctrine & Effect
If one loses in court, they can't just refile and try again. In this lesson we will learn what collateral estoppel is and what it means to the finality of a judges ruling.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the Civics Study Guide course
- Principles and Origins of the American Government
- Constitutional Democracy in the US
- Federalism in the US
- U.S. Political Parties, Voters & Electoral Process
- American Public Opinion
- Interest Groups in the United States
- Mass Media in the United States
- The U.S.'s Legislative Branch
- The U.S.'s Executive Branch
- Civil Liberties in the United States
- Civil Rights in the United States
- Economic, Fiscal & Trade Policy in the U.S.
- Societies
- Overview of Public Policy
- Issues in Morality
- Basic Theories of Morality
- Basic Concepts of Morality
