Kobe Contreras

Karen Barragan
Diana Urena
Hnin Oo

Learning Objectives

Identify and explain the organization of the Judiciary

- U.S. Supreme Court: the highest federal court in the US, consisting of nine justices and
taking judicial precedence over all other courts in the nation.
- U.S. Court of Appeals: There are 12 regional circuit courts, and one for the Federal
Circuit, that were established by Congress to relieve some of the caseload of the
Supreme Court, and to hear cases that are appealed from the 94 district courts.
- U.S. District Appeals: The United States district courts are the trial courts of the federal
court system. This is where federal cases are tried, where witnesses testify, and federal
juries serve. There are 94 federal district courts in the United States.

Identify and provide examples of the powers of the Judiciary powers.

- Original Jurisdiction: This is when a court is first hearing a case. This court is then said
to have original jurisdiction.
- Appellate Jurisdiction: This is when a case has been appealed (the original decision
questioned) and another court hears the case.
- Redress: This term refers to dealing with damages and relief.
- Diversity Jurisdiction: The ability of federal courts to hear cases involving people from
different states.
- Subject Matter Jurisdiction: Federal courts have jurisdiction of cases involving federal
law.

Identify and explain how Judiciary shares powers with the Congress,
Executive, and bureaucracy.
- Congress & Judiciary: Judiciary has power to declare laws unconstitutional and
congress can go back and amend the constitution. Congress has the power to accept or
reject judges that were nominated by the president.
- Executive & Judiciary: Executive nominates judicial officials.
- Bureaucracy & Judiciary: Courts decide if policy and constitutional and how it should
be implemented, and also decides if bureaucracy is following congressional orders or
not.

Discuss the implications of Judiciary sharing powers with each of the

following: Congress, Executive, and bureaucracy.

This picture demonstrates how Judiciary shares its power with Congress, the Executive
Branch, and bureaucracy.
Discuss the functions that Judiciary performs.
- Supreme Court: Decisions are binding on all courts, can transfer HC judges, can call a
case from a lower court to itself, and can transfer cases from one HC to another.
- High Court: Considers appeals from lower courts, has the power to issue Fundamental
rights, deals with cases within State jurisdiction, supervises and controls lower courts.
- District Court: Deals with local cases of the district, considers appeals regarding lower
court decisions, decides serious criminal cases.
- Subordinate Courts: Deal with cases of civil and criminal nature.

Identify how the power of the Judiciary has/may evolve gradually.

Over the years the Judiciary branch has allowed more members to join and has also
accepted more diverse people. This allows for them to be open to more different cases
and have a different perspective. However, since originally being created in 1789, the
Judiciary hears less cases than ever before which is about 100 cases.

Identify and discuss the ties between the Judiciary and political parties.

The picture shown above illustrates the fact that Judicial Activism has a prominent role
in judicial rulings driven by corporate interests.

Identify and discuss the ties between the Judiciary and interest groups.

Interest groups can theoretically influence all branches of government. However,

interaction between interest groups and the judiciary is regulated by strong ethical
codes. Practices that are common within the legislative and executive branch of
government are illegal for the judiciary which in both countries is based on impartiality.
Identify and discuss the ties between the Judiciary and media.

The Judiciary Branch and the media have little to no relations with one another. The
Judicial Branch is not really mentioned in the media unless an important case is being
discussed.
Identify and discuss the ties between the Judiciary and state and local
governments.
District courts connect the judiciary and state and local governments. They help relieve
the pressure that the Supreme Court faces sometimes. The judiciary and the state are
tied by like who is able to represent which state. And the judiciary and local governments
are tied by trying to treat the people right.