Congress and the Courts


I.    Article III (FEDERALIST #78)

    A.    Case and Controversy Requirement

        1. adverse parties

        2. substantial legal interests

        3. real set of facts

        4. enforceable judicial determination of issue   

    B.    Federal Court Jurisdiction

        Subject Matter Jurisdiction

        1. U.S. law and Constitution

        2. U.S. treaties

        3. maritime cases

        4. admiralty cases

        Nature of Parties Jurisdiction

        1.    U.S. Government

        2.    Suits Between Two or More States

        3.    Diversity of Citizenship Cases

        4.    Suits Involving Ambassadors, Ministers or Consuls

II.    Congressional Checks on Judiciary

    A.    Jurisdiction

    B.    Structure

    C.    Procedure

    D.    Budget

    E.    Impeachment

    F.    Constitutional Amendments overturning Supreme Court Decisions

II.    Congressional Structuring of Federal Courts (explanation - map)

    A.    1789 Judiciary Act

    B.    District Courts

    C.    Courts of Appeal

III.    Advice and  Consent in Judicial Appointments (Characteristics of Federal Judges)

    A.    District Courts

    B.    Appellate Courts

    C.    Supreme Court (Appointments Since 1789)

IV. JUDICIAL REVIEW

        1.    VIS A' VIS STATES (Martin v. Hunter's Lessee)

        2.    VIS A' VIS FEDERAL AGENCIES (Marbury v. Madison (video); Steel Seizure Case)

V.    Judicial Activism v. Judicial Self-Restraint


Key Web Sites

Understanding Federal Courts

Judicial Business - About Federal Courts

Web Guide to U.S. Supreme Court Research

Oyez

JUSTICES (picture; biographies)