Judicial Branch (supreme court)
Justices
9 Justices
Chief Justice
8 Associate Justices
John Roberts (2005-Now)
There are no specific Constitutional requirements to become a justice
Court System
Checks on legislative branch
Serve for life to avoid political ties.
Supreme Court
Court of Appeals
District Courts
Located in Washington D.C
If the court declines to hear a case the Court of Appeals decision is final
Losing side of the Appeals court can Appeal to this court
13 Courts
9th circuit court in San Francisco, CA
Each court has a panel of judges to decide if cases were tried appropriately.
Each state has 1 of the 94 district courts
District Courts in MT: Helena, Billings, Great Falls, Missoula, Butte.
Lower federal courts divided on cases over which they have jurisdiction, or authority over.
Can declare acts of legislation unconstitutional.