Judicial Branch (Supreme Court)
Court Systems
Court of appeals
District courts
Supreme Court
1000's of court cases appealed to the Supreme Court but only about 100 are heard.
If the court declines to hear a case the court of appeals is final
Losing side can appeal to a higher court
13 Court of Appeals
Each court has a panel of judges that decide if cases were tried appropriately
Each state has at least one of the 94 district courts.
Federal court judges are appointed by the president and get life terms.
Supreme Court Justices
9 Justices
There are no specific requirements to become a justice
Serve for life to avoid political ties.
Checks on Legislative Branch
May declare laws unconstitutional
Checks on Executive Branch
May declare executive actions unconstitutional
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