The Court System

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The Court System

• The Judicial Branch
• The Balancing Branch
• AP Government Mr. Tumino

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Jurisdiction of the Federal Courts

• They arise under the Constitution, a federal law,
  or a treaty.
• They arise under admiralty and maritime laws.
• They arise because of a dispute involving land
  claimed under titles granted by two or more
  states.
• The United States is a party to the case.
• A state is a party to the case.
• They are between citizens of different states.
• They affect the accredited representatives of a
  foreign nation.

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Factors Constraining Federal Judges

• The Constitution
• Precedent
• Statutory law
• Legal scholarship
• Opinions of other courts
• Interest groups
• Public opinion
• Media opinion

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continued

• Views of colleagues
• Views of law clerks
• Contemporary events and general social
  environment
• Traditions of the law
• Legislative actions
• Executive actions
• Limitations of time and staffing

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Types of Law

• Statutory law
• Common law
• Equity law
• Constitutional law
• Admiralty and maritime law
• Administrative law
• Criminal law
• Civil law
• International law
• Other specialty areas

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