Ch. 16- Structure of the Federal Courts

How does a case get to the Supreme Court?

Federal Courts of Appeals

U.S. Supreme CourtU.S. Supreme Court

94 U.S. District Courts

State Intermediate Courts of Appeals

State Trial Courts of Original Jurisdiction

State Supreme Court13 U.S. Court of Appeals

• kidnapping• tax evasion• Counterfeiting• theft of major artwork from a museum• damaging or destroying public mailboxes• immigration offenses

U.S. Supreme Court(7,000 appeals) (75-80 full opinions)

U.S. Supreme Court(7,000 appeals) (75-80 full opinions)

94 U.S. District Courts

(358,983 cases)

State Intermediate Courts of Appeals(202,774 cases)

State Trial Courts of Original Jurisdiction

(10 million cases)

State Supreme Court(91,186 cases)

13 U.S. Court of Appeals(62,762 cases)

Senatorial Courtesy

Senatorial Courtesy

Senatorial Courtesy

Senatorial Courtesy

Senatorial Courtesy

U.S. Supreme Court(7,000 appeals) (75-80 full opinions)

U.S. Supreme Court(7,000 appeals) (75-80 full opinions)

State Intermediate Courts of Appeals(202,774 cases)

State Supreme Court(91,186 cases)

13 U.S. Court of Appeals(62,762 cases)

U.S. Supreme CourtU.S. Supreme Court

94 U.S. District Courts

(358,983 cases)

State Intermediate Courts of Appeals(202,774 cases)

State Trial Courts of Original Jurisdiction

(10 million cases)

MOST PLEA BARGAIN AND NEVER GO TO TRIAL90%

When does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction?

When does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction?

When does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction?

When can the Supreme Court issue a writ of certiorari?

• Clarify a ruling• Constitutional issues• The FACTS of the lower courts are rarely

challenged• Four justices may agree to issue a writ

Original Jurisdiction:---

Senatorial Courtesy:-

U.S. Court SystemWrits of certiorari:---