The system of courts in the united states

In the United States the judiciary (which is a collective term for courts and judges) is divided into the national (federal) and state judiciary. Each is independent of the other with the exception that the US Supreme Court may, under special circumstances involving federal questions, review a state court decisions.

The State courts are set up in a system that looks like the system of Federal courts, with the Supreme Court at the top, which meets in the Supreme Court Building in Washington, D. C. It is a beautiful building of white marble. The figures over the entrance represent the national ideas of law and liberty. Above the main entrance appear the words

“Equal Justice Under Law”.

The US Supreme Court is the highest tribunal in the United States. It includes a Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices. They are all appointed by the President and approved by the Senate. The Supreme Court is in session from October to June. One of the

most important duties of the justices is to decide whether laws passed by the Congress agree with the Constitution. The justices do this by interpreting the laws of Congress and the provisions of the Constitution. If the Supreme Court decides that the Constitution does not give Congress the power to pass a certain law, the court declares the law to be unconstitutional. Such a law can no longer be enforced by the President and his executive officers. Besides the US Supreme Court there are various district courts and courts of appeals . They have somewhat less political importance, since their principal duty is to settle cases where no constitutional question is at stake . These courts handle both civil and criminal cases. Each state has at least one district court; a few have as many as four. Each court has from one to 24 federal judges, depending on the volume of business. All judges

are appointed for life by the President, or until they choose to resign.

Word list

judiciary— судоустрій

chief justice — головний суддя

to enforce — здійснювати, проводити в життя

Court of appeals — апеляційний суд

to be at stake — бути в небезпеці

Exercise 12 Answer the questions:

1. What sort of court system is there in the United States?

2. Where does the Supreme Court of the United States meet?

3. When is the Supreme Court in session?

4. What is one of the most important duties of the Supreme Court?