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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