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The Judicial Branch of the government is made up of the federal courts of the United States. Their job is to try lawsuits brought up by people against states or by one state against another.
Article III of the Constitution sets up the judicial branch. |
Section 1 ~
Federal Courts |
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Section 2 ~
Jurisdiction |
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The federal courts rule on all questions about the Constitution.
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The courts rule on all laws of the United States on treaties made with other nations.
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The courts have the power in cases dealing with other nations.
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The courts have the power in all cases where the United States is one party.
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Section 3 ~
Treason |
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Treason means going to war against the United States or helping those who are at war against the United States.
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No person will be found guilty of treason unless there are at least 2 witnesses against him, or he confesses in court.
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Congress set up district courts by dividing up the United States and setting up a court system in each district. Congress also added courts of appeal in which people can go for another ruling if they don't agree with the verdict given by a lower court.
The Supreme Court is made up of 9 justices that decide if a law that is passed by Congress is against something that is written in the Constitution.
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Supreme Court
(9 members) |
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Appeals Courts
(13 in the United States)
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District Courts
(89 districts in the 50 states ~ District courts also exist in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the District of Columbia, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. In total there are 94 U.S. district courts.) |
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