Cases that are heard, lost the appeal at the Court of Appeals

1,000s are submitted but only about 100 can be heard

If the court decides to hear a case, the court's decision is final.

Lower federal courts are divided on cases over which they have jurisdiction

Federal court judges are appointed by the President and serve life terms

Each state has at least 1 district court

5 federal courthouses in Montana - Helena, Great Falls, Billings, Missoula, Butte; 3 District Judges

The judges can uphold the decision of the lower court and the outcome stands, or they can be retried.

If someone is convicted of a crime and they thought it wasn't fair, they can take the case here.

Each has a panel of judges to decide if cases were tried appropriately.

May declare executive actions unconstitutional

There are no specific constitutional requirements to become a justice.