Six lessons cover the Organization of the Federal Courts. Lesson one helps those studying criminologies distinguish between the role of federal courts and state courts. The second explores the structure of the lower levels of the federal court system and the differences between original and appellate jurisdiction. The third resource focuses on the Supreme Court, the appeals process, writs of certiorari, and the importance of precedent. Scholars explore the different types of judges and the factors that lead to their appointment in the fourth lesson. The final lesson provides pupils of criminology with a useful summary of the ways that judicial independence is both maintained and limited within the constitutional system. Interactive quizzes permit young scholars to self-check their new knowledge.
