The White House
The White House: The Judicial Branch
Learn about the judicial branch of the federal government, how the organization of the federal judiciary is determined, the functions and responsibilities of the Supreme Court, and features of the judicial process.
Other
House of Representatives Judiciary Committee
The website of the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee which is responsible for overseeing the administration of justice at the federal level and plays a role in impeachments.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Judiciary Act of 1789
Act establishing the organization of the U.S. federal court system, which had been sketched only in general terms in the U.S. Constitution. The act established a three-part judiciary-made up of district courts, circuit courts, and the...
This Nation
This Nation: The Judiciary Continued in Relation to Trial by Jury
Federalist No. 83, written by Alexander Hamilton, discusses the jurisdiction of the federal courts, in particular to civil cases and juries.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Jurisdiction of Federal Courts
This site describes the jurisdiction of the Federal Court system. The site breaks the court's jurisdiction into three main areas of institutional conflict: Federal Restraint of State Courts by Injunctions, Habeas Corpus: Scope of the...
Siteseen
Siteseen: American Historama: 1801 Judiciary Act: Midnight Judges
Comprehensive overview and detailed facts about the 1801 Judiciary Act that allowed friends and supporters of president John Adams to be appointed to new offices, reorganized the federal judiciary, and established the first circuit...
US Senate
Committee on the Judiciary
The Committee on the Judiciary has been called the lawyer for the House of Representatives because of its jurisdiction over matters relating to the administration of justice in Federal courts, administrative bodies, and law enforcement...
Other
Understanding the Federal Courts
A ten part publication which describes the federal court system, its structure and organization, what types of cases they hear and much more. You can also download a PDF version of the document.
Other
Federal Judicial Center: What the Federal Courts Do
U.S. government-sponsored site that provides excellent information on the distinction between civil law and criminal law. It is part of a larger website that is dedicated to explaining the workings of the federal judicial system....
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: Relationship of State and National Legal Systems
This lengthy essay describes the balance between state and federal judiciary courts and touches on independence, integration, power limits and immunities.
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: How Constitution Used to Organize the New Govt [Pdf]
This lesson describes how, using the guidelines provided in the Constitution, the First Congress in April 1789 named the new president and vice president, provided funding for the new government, organized the executive branch, organized...
Digital History
Digital History: War on the Judiciary
The Judiciary Act of 1801 was a final attempt by the Federalists to control the judicial system before the Democratic Republicans took over. Read about the repeal of the act, which resulted in a landmark Supreme Court decision, Marybury...
Other
U.s. Courts: About u.s. Courts
This site provides a description of the purpose of the federal courts and of the powers granted to them by the Constitution.
Other
Touro Law Center: William Marbury vs. James Madison
Transcript of the landmark court case that established the constitutional principle of judicial review. Judicial review is the concept that the federal judiciary has final power as to whether an act of the Congress or the Executive...
Siteseen
Siteseen: American Historama: 1789 Judiciary Act
Features a summary and interesting facts about the 1789 Judiciary Act that established the U.S. court system.
Siteseen
Siteseen: Government and Constitution: Judiciary Branch
Article covers the Judiciary Branch of Government, the branch that interprets the law, and its connection to the US Constitution.
George Washington University
Birth of a Nation: The First Federal Congress 1789 1791
An exhaustive look at the first Congress during George Washington's presidency. Find out about the precedents that were set and the interpretations that had to be made about the new Constitution. A fabulous site from George Washington...
Other
Govspot: Judicial Branch
GovSpot surveys the structure and purpose of the Judicial Branch of U.S. government, which comprises the Supreme Court and the Federal Court System.
University of Chicago
The Founders' Constitution: Separation of Powers
Federal Convention on the Separation of Powers as recorded during debate at the convention, June 2, 1787.
Other
Litigator's Internet Resource Guide: The Rules of Court
A database of the rules, forms, and dockets for both the state and federal court systems.
Tom Richey
Tom richey.net: The Marshall Courts: Revenge of the Federalists [Ppt]
Presents key ideas for examining the impact of Supreme Court decisions under Chief Justice John Marshall on the powers of the federal government. Includes an activity at end of presentation.
University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: Thomas Jefferson: Domestic Affairs
Read about Thomas Jefferson's attempts to make a smaller bureaucracy and his problems with the federal courts.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: The Supreme Court: The Judicial Power of the United States
In this lesson plan, students will consider "The Supreme Court: The Judicial Power of the United States." The plan includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
New York Times
New York Times: Crossword Puzzle: The American Judicial System
The New York Times Learning Network has an interactive & printable crossword puzzle on The American Judicial System.