Judicial Branch (Supreme Court)
Court Systems
Court of Appeals
District Courts
Supreme Court
Federal court judges are appointed by the president
5 District Courts in Montana; Billings, Helena, Great Falls, Missoula, Butte
Each State has at least one of the 94 District Courts
3 Federal Court Judges
13 Courts of Appeal
9th Circuit -San Francisco, Ca
If someone is convicted of a crime, and they thought it wasn't fair they can take the case here
The judges can uphold the decision or the lower court or they can remand for a new trial.
Each has a panel of judges to decide if cases were tried appropriately
If the court declines to review a case, the court of appeals decision is final.
The losing side of the appeals court can appeal to this court.
Washington D.C.
1,000 of cases are submitted but only about 100 can be tried
Checks on the Executive Branch
May declare executive actions unconstitutional
Checks on the Legislative Branch
May declare laws unconstitutional
Supreme Court Justices
9 justices
There are no specific constitutional requirements to become a justice.
They serve fore life to avoid political ties