1. The U.S. District Court isthe trial court of the federal court. Explainin a paragraph what it means for a court to be a trial court and specificallyidentify characteristics of the trial court.
2. Federal courts do not havejurisdiction over all cases. Identifyand describe the two ways a court case can be initiated (brought) infederal court.
3. Describein a paragraph the role of appellate courts (such as the U.S. Supreme Court,the U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeal or the Massachusetts Appeals Courts and theMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court). Youmust discuss how an appeal differs from a trial.
4. In what U.S. Circuit Court ofAppeals do cases from the district court in Massachusetts get appealed? (Hint: the answer is a number!)
5. U.S. Supreme Court is themost senior court in the federal system. Use google.com or another search engine to identify and names the allnine justices currently sitting on the U.S. Supreme Court AND identify thePresident who appointed each to office.
6. Give a short biography of oneof the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court.
7. When during the calendar yeardoes the U.S. Supreme Court begin its term?
8. Answer this legalhypothetical: Angelo hired Larrys Lawn Servicefrom Bedford, MA, to mow his lawn, in Lowell, MA. Last summer, Larrys lawn mower plowed overAngelos prize rose garden, ruining the soil and flowers. Angelo sued Larrys for $10,000, the value ofthe damage, in Massachusetts Superior Court. A jury reached a verdict for Angelo. Larrys Lawn Service appealed the decision.
a. Isthis a state or federal court case?
b. Towhat court will Larrys Lawn Service take his appeal?
c. Duringthe appellate case, will a jury resolve the matter? (This can be answered with a YES or NO).
9. Answer this legalhypothetical: Ten years ago, Angelo began working at Gillette, Inc. He applied for a promotion this year, but waspassed over in favor of Betty. Angelobelieves the company discriminated against him because he is African-Americanand Betty is Caucasian. He wants to sueGillette under the federal law, the Civil Rights Act, which prohibitsdiscrimination on the basis of race.
a. Inwhat type court does Angelo v. Gillette begin, trial or appellate?
b. Whichcourt has jurisdiction over this matter, state or federal?
10. Use this link to find your U.S.Congressperson by zip code:
https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
a. Whois your representative in the U.S. House of Representatives?
b. Usingthe US House of Representatives website and/or your Congresspersons website identifythe Committee(s) on which your Congressperson serves.
c. Forone of those committees, describe the jurisdiction and purpose of thecommittee.
d. Determinewhen your U.S. Congressperson is next up for reelection.
11. List the names of your twoU.S. Senators. Identify their political party AND the date of their nextreelections.
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