The role of courts in America.

prepare a creative deliverable that describes the evolving role of the courts.

Instructions:

In Module 6, we learned about the role of courts in America. Complete this assignment as follows:

For this assignment, you will create a deliverable of your choice (written document, infographic, PowerPoint, video, etc.) that communicates the information below.
Describe the evolution of the court structure in the U.S.
Explain the federal and state court structure and powers.

Full Answer Section

     
    • 19th Century: Expansion of the federal court system, including specialized courts like the Court of Claims.
    • 20th Century: Growth of administrative law and appellate courts.
    • 21st Century: Increasing caseload, use of technology, and evolving roles.
  • Federal Court Structure:
    • U.S. District Courts: Trial courts with original jurisdiction over federal cases.
    • U.S. Courts of Appeals: Intermediate appellate courts reviewing district court decisions.
    • U.S. Supreme Court: Highest court with appellate jurisdiction and limited original jurisdiction.
  • State Court Structure:
    • State Supreme Courts: Highest state courts with appellate jurisdiction.
    • Intermediate Appellate Courts: In many states, reviewing lower court decisions.
    • State Trial Courts: General jurisdiction courts handling various cases.
    • Specialized Courts: Courts with jurisdiction over specific types of cases (e.g., family, juvenile, probate).
Additional Visuals:
  • Diagrams illustrating the flow of cases through the court system.
  • Icons representing different types of cases (criminal, civil, family, etc.).
  • Short, informative text explaining key concepts.
Key Points to Emphasize:
  • The balance of power between federal and state courts.
  • The role of the judiciary in protecting individual rights.
  • The impact of technology on the court system.
  • The challenges facing the courts in the 21st century.
By combining a clear timeline with visual representations of court structures and case flows, this infographic will provide a comprehensive and engaging overview of the U.S. court system's evolution and current structure.  

Sample Answer

   

Title: The Evolution and Structure of the U.S. Court System

Visual: A timeline running horizontally, with key dates and events marking the evolution of the court system. The timeline should branch out into different sections representing federal and state courts.

Content:

  • Timeline:

    • Pre-Revolutionary War: British common law as the foundation.
    • Constitutional Era: Establishment of the federal court system under the U.S. Constitution.