The simulation of a criminal case - arraignment, jury selection, witness testimony, evidence presentation, and sentencing - provide students with the opportunity to actively participate as attorneys, jurors, and witnesses.

The centerpiece of the program is a candid conversation with a federal judge and volunteer attorneys about Constitutional issues raised by young people. The preparatory classroom activity sets the stage for meaningful discussion by helping students identify and articulate Constitutional questions that matter the them.  This program can be done virtually or in-person and can be held in a courtroom or a classroom.

Complete the VIRTUAL VISIT REQUEST FORM to schedule a facilitaor for the mock trial simulation, or for the opportunity to (virtually) meet a Judge. There is also opportunity to meet representatives of other government agencies related to the Judiciary: U.S. Marshal, U.S. Attorney's Office, Federal Defenders, and U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services among them.

Submit completed form to the Court Services Specialist: Jennifer Harris at Jennifer_Harris@waed.uscourts.gov or contact at 509-458-3419 with questions.

The virtual simulation of a criminal case - arraignment, jury selection, witness testimony, evidence presentation, and sentencing - provide students with the opportunity to actively participate as attorneys, jurors, and witnesses. With the supplied instructions educators are free to facilitate the flow of the simulation, or they may contact the outreach coordinator to request a facilitator from the court.

Simulation Instructions - Virtual

Narrator Script - Virtual

Student Script - Virtual

*Simulation instructions and scripts have been updated for ease of use in a virtual setting. In-person instructions and scripts are available upon request.

Federal District Courts
The United States district courts are the trial courts of the federal court system. Within limits set by Congress and the Constitution, the district courts have jurisdiction to hear nearly all categories of federal cases, including both civil and criminal matters. Every day hundreds of people across the nation are selected for jury duty and help decide some of these cases.
There are 94 federal judicial districts, including at least one district in each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Three territories of the United States -- the Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands -- have district courts that hear federal cases, including bankruptcy cases.

 

Federal Courts in American Government
The three branches of the federal government — legislative, executive, and judicial — operate within a constitutional system known as "checks and balances." This means that although each branch is formally separate from the other two, the Constitution often requires cooperation among the branches. Federal laws, for example, are passed by Congress and signed by the President. The judicial branch, in turn, has the authority to decide the constitutionality of federal laws and resolve other disputes over them, but judges depend upon the executive branch to enforce court decisions.

Federal Courts & Congress
The Constitution gives Congress the power to create federal courts other than the Supreme Court and to determine their jurisdiction. It is Congress, not the judiciary, that controls the type of cases that may be addressed in the federal courts.
Congress has three other basic responsibilities that determine how the courts will operate. First, it decides how many judges there should be and where they will work. Second, through the confirmation process, Congress determines which of the President's judicial nominees ultimately become federal judges. Third, Congress approves the federal courts' budget and appropriates money for the judiciary to operate. The judiciary's budget is a very small part — substantially less than one percent — of the entire federal budget.

Federal Courts & the Executive Branch
Under the Constitution, the President appoints federal judges with the "advice and consent" of the Senate. The President usually consults senators or other elected officials concerning candidates for vacancies on the federal courts. The President's power to appoint new federal judges is not the judiciary's only interaction with the executive branch. The Department of Justice, which is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes and for representing the government in civil cases, is the most frequent litigator in the federal court system. Several other executive branch agencies affect the operations of the courts. The United States Marshals Service, for example, provides security for federal courthouses and judges, and the General Services Administration builds and maintains federal courthouses.

Creation and Constitutional Authority
Washington State moved from territorial status to statehood in 1889. Until that time, territorial Supreme Court Justices "rode the circuit" and met only once or twice a year in Olympia to hear appeals from their district court decisions.

The Eastern District of Washington was formed by the March 2, 1905 "Act to Divide Washington into Two Judicial Districts" (Chapter 1305, Session III, 58th Congress). At that time, the state was then divided into two federal districts and a separate judge, Judge Edward Whitson, was appointed to the Eastern District.

Structure of the Federal Courts

What is the Job of a Federal Judge?

What is the Job of a Magistrate Judge?

Cases Handled in Federal Courts

How a Criminal Case Moves Through the Courts

Grand Juries vs Trial Juries

Steps in a Criminal Trial

Sentencing Considerations

Comparing Federal and State Courts

You Can Join the Journey Towards Justice

All of those petitioning the United States government to become a citizen must first pass a U.S. citizenship test. To take a 25-question practice test, click here.

The Courts and You: From Suffragist Sashes to Antiwar Armbands (video)

About the Courts:
Court Structure
About Federal Courts
Comparing Federal & State Courts
History of the Federal Judiciary
Court Shorts: Separation of Powers (video)

Jury Related:
How a Trial Works (video)
Types of Juries (video)
Understanding the Language of a Trial (video)

Teacher Resources:
US Courts Educational Resources
Inside the Federal Courts
Annenberg Classroom
American Bar Association Lesson Plans
Constitution Center