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