Federal Court System

Under the federal system of government, the United States has two court systems. One is the federal court system. The other is the system of state courts. The judicial power of the United States shall be vested in one Supreme Court, and in such inferior courts as the Congress may from time to time establish. The First Congress used this constitutional power to set up a system of federal courts.

In 1789 Congress passed the Judiciary Act, which established what has grown into one of the great court systems of the world. This system of federal courts makes up the judicial branch – the third branch – of the federal government.

Federal courts are organized in several levels. They are also classified according to their jurisdiction. The lowest courts are trial courts, which have original jurisdiction. This means they are the first courts in which most federal cases are heard.

Above these trial courts are courts that have appellate jurisdiction. That is, they review decisions made by lower courts. “Appellate” means “dealing with appeals.” Every convicted person has the right to appeal his or her case to an appellate court. An appeal is usually made when lawyers believe the law was not applied correctly in the lower court. A case can also be appealed if new evidence is found.

The Supreme Court is the head of the judicial branch of the federal government. It is the only court actually established by the Constitution. Decisions of the Supreme Court affect the lives of all Americans.

The Supreme Court has the power to study and review any law passed by Congress. Before it may do so, however, someone must challenge the law and bring a case to court.

The most unique feature of the Supreme Court is its power of judicial review. This means that the Court can determine whether a law passed by Congress or a Presidential action is in accord with the Constitution. If the Supreme Court decides that a law is in conflict with the Constitution, that law is declared unconstitutional. That is, the law is no longer in force.

The Supreme Court cannot begin a case itself. It must wait until a person files an appeal or a lawsuit. All cases heard by the Court involve real legal disputes. A person cannot simply ask the Supreme Court for an opinion about whether or not a law is constitutional.

The Supreme Court itself decides what cases it will hear. Several thousand cases are appealed to the Court each year. However, the Court turns down about 80 percent of the applications it receives for review.

The Justices accept only those cases that involve issues of significant public interest. Cases heard by the Supreme Court generally deal with important constitutional or national questions. At least four of the nine Justices must vote to hear a case. If the Supreme Court refuses to review a case, the decision of the lower court remains in effect.