Politics Resource Center Political Science Factsheet The Federal Judiciary - Page 1 Select a Feature... Politics Main Page General Resources Classic Texts Online Articles & Essays Political/Social Issues Libertarian Resources Videos & DVDs Politics Resource Center Main Page
Books about Politics and Current Events in The Radical Academy Bookstore Click Here for New & Used College Textbooks at Discount Prices Click Here for College Education Information & Study Resources Shop Amazon Stores in the Radical Academy Bookstore Magazine Outlet Music Store Classical Music Store Video Store DVD Store Computer Store Camera & Photo Store Computer/Video Games Software Store Musical Instruments Outlet Store Cellular Phones Toys & Games Tools & Hardware Automotive Store Outdoor Living Consumer Electronics Home & Garden Kitchen & Housewares Baby Superstore Apparel & Accessories Gourmet Food Grocery Store Sporting Goods Jewelry & Watches Health & Personal Care Beauty Store		The only federal court required by the United States Constitution is the Supreme Court, specified in Article III. Congress has created all other federal courts and their jurisdictions. The Constitution does not indicate how many justices shall be on the Supreme Court nor what its appellate jurisdiction shall be. Originally there were six justices on the Supreme Court; now there are nine justices. This political science factsheet will give you information about the different kinds of federal courts, the current Supreme Court justices, the past Chief Justices of the Supreme Court, some interesting federal court trivia, and other resources. Also check out the United States Supreme Court Website. Diagram (c) 1995 by UniWest Graphics. All Rights Reserved. Supreme Court of the United States (1 court with 9 justices) Original Jurisdiction: Cases begin in the Supreme Court, over controversies involving: 1. Two or more states 2. The United States and a state 3. Foreign ambassadors and other diplomats 4. A state and a citizen of a different state (if begun by the state) Appellate Jurisdiction: Cases begin in another, lower court. Hears appeals, at its discretion, from: 1. Lower federal courts 2. Highest state court   Two Kind of Federal Courts Two kinds of lower federal courts have been created by Congress to handle cases that need not be decided by the Supreme Court: I. CONSTITUTIONAL COURTS Exercises the judicial powers found in Article III of the Constitution. Judges are given constitutional protection: they may not be fired nor their salaries reduced while in office. Includes: 1. U.S. Courts of Appeals (1 in each of 11 regions plus 1 in Washington, D.C.) Hears only appeals; no original jurisdiction. Appeals from: Federal District Courts U.S. regulatory commissions Certain other federal courts 2. U.S. District Courts (1 in each of 94 districts) Have only original jurisdiction; do not hear appeals. Original jurisdiction over cases involving: Federal crimes Civil suits under federal law Civil suits between citizens of different states where the amount exceeds $50,000 Admiralty and maritime cases Bankruptcy cases Review of actions of certain federal administrative agencies Other matters assigned to them by Congress II. LEGISLATIVE COURTS Set up by Congress for some specialized purpose. Staffed with people who have fixed terms of office. Can be removed or have their salaries reduced. Includes: Court of Military Appeals and territorial courts. Federal Court Regions There are eleven regions, or circuits, plus one in the District of Columbia. Each region has a Federal Court of Appeals. Within each region are Federal District Courts, a total of ninety-four, with at least one in each state, the District of Columbia, and the commonwealth of Puerto Rico. 1st Circuit Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island 2nd Circuit Vermont, New York, Connecticut 3rd Circuit Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware 4th Circuit Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina 5th Circuit Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi 6th Circuit Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee 7th Circuit Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana 8th Circuit North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Arkansas 9th Circuit Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, California, Nevada, Arizona 10th Circuit Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico 11th Circuit Alabama, Georgia, Florida The Litmus Test The term "litmus test" is often used when candidates are nominated for sears on the Supreme Court and come before the Senate for confirmation. In chemistry a litmus test is a way of finding out whether a liquid is acid or alkaline. It involves exposing the fluid to an organic dye that turns red in acids and blue in alkalines. The term is used in politics to mean a test of ideological purity, a way of finding out whether a person is a dyed-in-the-wool liberal or conservative. For liberals, a litmus-test issue might be support for abortion or opposition to school prayer. For conservatives, it might be holding the opposite of these views. Go to Page Two of this Political Science Factsheet Academy Showcase Specials
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