1789 Judiciary Act for kids - The Constitution
The
Constitution established the Supreme Court as the highest court in
the US and outlined the number of lower courts and the role and the
salaries of the judges. Article 3 also covers
the powers of the courts, the law and their areas of
jurisdiction (control). 1789
Judiciary Act clarifies the court system further. The Judiciary Act
of 1789 was officially called "An Act to Establish the Judicial
Courts of the United States". It was signed into law by President
George Washington on September 24, 1789. It is interesting to note
that no authority for a jury was in the Constitution, and did
not exist for the Congress at the time the Judiciary Act of 1789 was
passed.
Authors of the
1789 Judiciary Act
The bill was mainly authored by Connecticut Senator
Oliver Ellsworth (1745-1807) and New Jersey Senator William Paterson
(1745-1807)They were considered two of the nation's leading legal
experts. Oliver Ellsworth was a drafter of the United States
Constitution and became the third Chief Justice of the United
States. William Paterson was one of the signers of the Constitution
and became an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United
States.
1789 Judiciary Act for kids - The Attorney General
The
act also
established the office of attorney general of the United States. The
attorney general is the head of the United States Department of
Justice and the chief lawyer of the U.S. government. The attorney
general is an member of the cabinet and is appointed by the
president.
1789 Judiciary Act for kids - The Supreme Court
The
bill established that the Supreme Court would be composed of one
chief judge and five associate judges (called Justices) and that all
decisions made by the Supreme Court would be final. It also asserted
that the Supreme Court had the power to settle disputes between
states.
1789 Judiciary Act for kids - Circuit Courts
The
Circuit courts, which consisted of the middle tier of the federal
court system, were established to serve as principal trial courts. A
local district judge and two Supreme Court justices preside over the
circuit courts. The Circuit Courts exercise limited appellate
jurisdiction. Appellate jurisdiction is the power of a court to
review decisions and change outcomes of decisions of lower courts.
1789 Judiciary Act for kids - Lower Courts
The
1789 Judiciary Act divided the country into districts with one court
and one judge in each, together with attorneys (lawyers) responsible
for civil and criminal actions in their districts. A writ of
mandamus offered one exception to this rule allowing for the appeal
of a decision to a higher court with a petition for a Writ of
Mandamus. The order will be issued only in exceptional
circumstances. (This clause was declared unconstitutional by Marbury
v. Madison and the Judiciary Act of 1789 was the first act of
Congress to be partially invalidated by the Supreme Court - refer to
the
Midnight Judges).
DISCLAIMER: This website and any information
contained herein are intended for educational and informational
purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek
competent legal counsel from a lawyer for advice on any legal
matter.
1789 Judiciary Act for kids - President George Washington Video
The article on the
1789 Judiciary Act provides an overview of one of the Important
laws passed of his presidential term in office. The following video will give you additional important facts, history and dates about the political events experienced by the 1st
American President whose presidency spanned from April 30, 1789 to March 4, 1797.
1789 Judiciary Act
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Interesting Facts about the
1789 Judiciary Act for kids and schools
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1789 Judiciary Act for kids
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1789 Judiciary Act, one of the Important
events of the era
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George Washington Presidency from April 30, 1789 to March 4, 1797
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Fast, fun, interesting
facts
about the 1789 Judiciary Act
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Foreign & Domestic
policies of President George Washington
● George Washington Presidency and
George Washington 1789 Judiciary Act for schools,
homework, kids and children |