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.