The Judicial Branch

The judicial branch is formed of many different levels of courts and is under the supreme court. The judicial branch protects justice and interprets the laws of our country.

Structure of the supreme court

The supreme court is made up of nine presidentially appointed justices. There is one chief justice that oversees the court. Unless they retire or are removed, the justices serve a life term on the court.

Duties of the Supreme Court

The supreme court takes cases that pose a big question to the constitution. They decide if these people or laws violate the constitution in any way. The supreme court also sets other rules that lower-level courts must follow.

Appeals Courts

The appeals courts are the middle level courts that are below the supreme court. There are 13 total courts, and each court consists of three judges. These courts hear the appeals from the district courts and decide whether or not the decision was correct.

District Courts

There are 94 district courts across the country. These are where federal cases of laws, crimes, and disputes get taken care of. The courts are made up of judges along with juries and witnesses as well.

How does a case get to the Supreme Court?

For a case to get to the supreme court, it must go through the district and appeals courts first. If the case reaches the appeals court and revives a result that is undesirable, a writ of certiorari can then be made. This is the way of asking the supreme court to look over the case. It is unlikely that the supreme court will take it as they get so many, but if your case gets chosen, you then go to the supreme court with your case.