The Ultimate Judicial System Quiz

Many federal court rulings become precedent and are generally accepted by other courts dealing with similar cases. When subsequent courts uphold the previous ruling, it is known as stare decisis or "let the decision stand."

Congress has the power to create and abolish any federal court except the Supreme Court -- the most powerful court in the United States.

Although the Supreme Court receives thousands of requests for cases each year, it only hears 100 to 150 of them. Most of the cases that reach the Supreme Court are on appeal from lower courts.

The Judiciary Act of 1789 first established the Supreme Court with six judges. The number of justices on the Court has changed a few times since then, but has remained at nine judges since 1869.

Chief Justice John Marshall established the concept of judicial review in the 1803 case of Marbury v. Madison. This decision declared that "a legislative act contrary to the Constitution is not law" and that it is "the duty of the judicial department to say what the law is."

If an appellant loses his or her case in Appeals Court, he or she can petition for a writ of certiorari. The Supreme Court isn't required to hear the case, but usually will if multiple courts have interpreted the law differently or if the case presents an issue relating to an important legal principle or the interpretation of the Constitution.

One step below the Court of Appeals is the District Court. These courts hear criminal cases concerning federal offenses and civil cases dealing with matters of federal law or disputes between citizens of different states.

District Courts are the only federal courts where grand juries indict the accused and juries decide the cases.

Along with traffic-related cases, special jurisdiction courts also hear juvenile cases and lesser civil and criminal cases