The Judicial Branch

                                                                                                                   U.S. Supreme Court

The judicial branch was established by Article III of the Constitution. which created the Supreme Court of the United State and empowered Congress to create "inferior Courts." Today the federal court system is comprised of three levels: 94 U.S. District Courts, 13 U.S. Courts of Appeal, and the Supreme Court. Federal judges are nominated by the president and approved by the Senate. The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the land and the only part of the federal judiciary specifically required by the Constitution  Members of the Supreme Court are known as "justices." The Supreme Court generally consists of 9 justices, one of whom, the chief justice, is the presiding member. Many- (but not all) Supreme Court justices previously served on the lower federal courts. All justices are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate and may remain in office until they resign, pass away, or are impeached and convicted by Congress.

The federal courts are the only judicial entities that have the power to determine whether laws are constitutional. Its task is to interpret the meaning of a law, to decide whether a law is relevant to a particular set of facts, or to rule on how a law should be applied. Lower courts are obligated to follow the precedent set by the Supreme Court when rendering decisions.

The Constitution also grants Congress the power to establish courts inferior to the Supreme Court such as the United States district courts, which try most federal cases, and thirteen United States courts of appeals, which review appealed district court cases.

Source: Whitehouse.gov