• How can citizens sue the government in the U.S. Court of
Federal Claims?
• What are the roles of the territorial courts and of the District of
Columbia courts?
• What functions do the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed
Forces and the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
have?
• What types of cases are brought to the U.S. Tax Court?
The Court of Federal Claims and the Territorial Courts
The Court of Federal Claims
• The U.S. Court of Federal Claims handles all pleas against
acts of the United States government.
• Those who have claims against the United States can possibly
secure redress—satisfaction of a claim, usually through
payment—through this court.
The Territorial Courts
• Under its power to govern the territories of the United States,
Congress created courts for the nation’s territories.
• These courts are in places such as Guam and the Virgin
Islands, and function much like the local courts in the 50
States.
The District of Columbia Courts and the U.S. Tax Court
The District of Columbia Courts
• As directed in the Constitution, Congress established a system
of courts for the “Seat of Government of the United States.”
• The District of Columbia handles all local judicial matters for
the district, including trials and appeals.
The United States Tax Court
• The U.S. Tax Court was created by Congress in 1969.
• The Tax Court hears civil but not criminal cases involving
disputes over the application of the tax laws.
• Its decisions may be appealed to the federal courts of appeals.
Military Appeals Courts
The Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
• This court is a civilian tribunal, a court operating as part of the
judicial branch, entirely separate from the military
establishment.
• The court reviews the more serious convictions of members of
the armed forces at a court-martial, or trial involving military
law.
The Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
• The Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims hears cases in
which individuals claim that the Department of Veterans Affairs
has denied or otherwise mishandled valid claims for veterans’
benefits.
Section 4 Review
1. The U.S. Court of Federal Claims handles
(a) citizens wishing redress from the government.
(b) veterans affairs.
(c) cases heard in the District of Columbia.
(d) cases heard in U.S. territories.
2. A court-martial is a court which tries cases involving
(a) civilians.
(b) military personnel.
(c) diplomats.
(d) ambassadors.
ANSWERS: a / b