Judical Branch (supreme court)
Supreme Court Justices
9 justices
The Cheif Justice
John Roberts (2005- present)
8 other associate judges
There are no specific constitutional requirements to become a justce
Serve for life to avoid political ties
Court system
Court Of Appeals
District courts
Supreme Court
Located in Washington D.C.
1,000 of cases are submitted but only about 100 can be tried
If the court declines to hear a case the court appeals decisions is final
The losing side of the appeals Court can appeal to this court
13 courts of appeal
Each has a panel of judges to decide if cases were tried appropriately
9th circut court in San Fancisco , CA
The judges can uphold decisions of the lower court and the outcome stands or they can be retried
Each Sate has 1 of the 94 district courts
District Courts in Montana: Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, Butte, Helena
Lower federal courts are divided on cases over which they have juristiction, or authority over
Checks on the legislative branch
Can declare acts of the legisature unconstitutional.
Checks on the executive branch
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