Judicial Branch in a flash

To interpret the laws of the Constitution

To make the laws for the American people.

To enforce the laws in the Constitution.

To appoint Supreme Court Justices.

Federal courts handle cases involving federal laws, while state courts handle cases involving state laws.

Federal courts are only found in Washington, D.C., while state courts are found in every state.

State courts can overrule federal courts if they disagree with a decision.

Federal courts are for criminal cases, while state courts are for civil cases.

Criminal case

Civil case

Federal case

Appellate case

A jury trial is always shorter than a bench trial.

A jury trial is decided by peers, and a bench trial is decided by a judge.

District Courts and Supreme Court

Court of Appeals and Supreme Court

Municipal Courts and Probate Courts

Justice Courts and County Courts

It usually has a panel of three judges.

It reviews legal errors made in trial courts.

It always has a jury to decide the case.

It is the highest court in the judicial system.

Judicial review is the power of courts to assess whether a law or action is constitutional.

The federal court system handles disputes about Constitutional laws for the whole country.

The federal court system is only for criminal cases, while state courts handle civil cases.

State courts are not higher in authority than federal courts. They have the same jurisdiction

Federal courts are only found in Washington, D.C., while state courts are in every state.