O R G A N I Z A T I O N
I. Nature of U.S. Courts
A. Courts as Political Institutions (but of a special kind)
B. Functions:
1. Basic Role: To Decide Cases Under the Law
C. Duality and Wide Diversity
II. Structural Features
A. Article III
C. Congressional Structuring of Federal Courts
1. Trial Courts (federal courts throughout the states)
3. Specialized Courts (Bankruptcy Courts)
D. Office of the Attorney General
E. Duality of U.S. Courts
F. Relationship Between Federal and State Courts - A Comparison
2. Jumping the Federal Gap
3. Judicial Councils
G. Hierarchical Nature of Courts
H. Federal Court Administration
1. The Federal Judicial Conference
2. The Administrative Office of U.S. Courts
3. The Federal Judicial Center
III. Jurisdiction of Federal Courts
A. Case Requirement
1. adverse parties
2. substantial legal interests
3. real set of facts
4. enforceable judicial determination of issue
B. Subject Matter Jurisdiction
1. U.S. law and Constitution
2. U.S. treaties
3. maritime cases
4. admiralty cases
C. Nature of Parties Jurisdiction
IV. United States Supreme Court (a brief history)
C. Choosing and Hearing Cases (Oyez, Oyez, Oyez)
D. Personnel (Picture)
John Roberts, Chief Justice
(2005)
John Paul Stevens (1975)
Antonin Scalia (1986)
Anthony Kennedy (1988)
David H. Souter (1990)
Clarence Thomas (1991)
Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1993)
Stephen G. Breyer (1994)
Samuel Alito, Jr.
(2006)
V. State Courts - Colorado
A. Structure (map)
1. trial courts of general jurisdiction
2. trial courts of limited jurisdiction
3. intermediate appellate courts
4. courts of final jurisdiction
B. Jurisdiction
Key Web Sites
Federal Judicial Home Page - FAQ's
National Center for State Courts: Web Sites
