The Judicial Branch

What did Hamilton mean when he made the following statement?

“Laws are a dead letter without courts to expound and define their true meaning and operation.” —Alexander Hamilton

• For laws to be effective, there must be courts to make them known to citizens consistently.

• For laws to be effective, there must be courts to interpret them consistently.

• Laws that are not obeyed should be repealed by the courts.

• Laws that are not obeyed should be enforced by the courts.

Why did the Constitution provide for two separate court systems?

• to keep the federal court system from being overwhelmed

• to establish the federal court system as having more power than State courts

• to maintain a balance of power between the Federal Government and the States

• to strengthen the balance of power between the three branches of Federal Government

Only US court with a Jury

• Supreme
• Appeal
• District

Court with only original jurisdiction

• Supreme
• Appeal
• District

court with only appellate jurisdiction 

• Supreme
• Appeal
• District

number of supreme court justices 

• 3
• 5
• 7
• 9

when the court hears the case first, gives a verdict 

• original jurisdiciton
• appellate jurisdiction
• real jurisdiciton
• fake jurisdiction 

when the court determines if rights were violated 

• original jurisdiciton
• appellate jurisdiction
• real jurisdiciton
• fake jurisdiction 

Which United States court conducts jury trials?

• District

• Supreme

• Appeals

• Circuit

Which United States court decides the guilt or innocence of individuals charged with federal crimes?

• District

• Supreme

• Appeals

• Circuit