Section 2

A. Judicial Structure

The Judicial Branch consists of four levels: the Supreme Court, the Federal Circuit Courts of Appeal, the Federal Provincial Courts, and the Federal District Courts. Each court exercises the authority granted to it by this Charter and by law. All courts must remain within the limits of this Charter and are required to protect the Rights it guarantees.

A.1. Other Federal Courts

Territorial District Courts shall be established as part of the Judicial Branch. Each Territory shall have one District Court, and all Territories shall share a single Territorial Provincial Court. Appeals from the Territorial Provincial Court shall be heard by the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals that has jurisdiction over the National Capital.

A parallel Immigration Court shall be established for each Federal District Court. These Immigration Courts belong to the Judicial Branch and have original jurisdiction over immigration cases.

B. Jurisdiction of Courts

B.1. District and Circuit Court Citizen Commissions

Apolitical commissions shall be used to review both District Court boundaries and the boundaries of the Circuit Courts of Appeal. The rules and structure for these commissions are identical.

The commission shall consist of:

• Two (2) members selected by the Judicial Nomination Board,

• Two (2) members selected by the Federal Licensing Authority, and

• Three (3) Citizens selected at random from the Civic Draft.

No member of a commission may currently hold federal office or have done so within the past six years. All members must be adult Citizens, must not have been convicted of a felony, and must not have suspended voting rights at the time of selection.

Failure to participate in a commission may be considered partial grounds for the charge of Failure to Fulfill a Civic Duty.

Recommendations must be approved by a majority vote of the commission and submitted to Congress. Congress must vote to either accept or reject the proposal without amendment. If Congress does not act within ninety (90) days, the recommended boundaries shall take effect by default at the start of the next Judicial Year.

B.2. District Courts

Except where this Charter provides otherwise, the District Courts have original jurisdiction over all federal civil and criminal cases. This includes constitutional claims, violations of federal law, and disputes between Persons or entities arising under this Charter or federal statutes.

District Courts may also:

• Review actions taken by federal agencies,

• Hear petitions for habeas corpus, and

• Conduct preliminary hearings in cases where a higher court holds original jurisdiction.

District Courts may not hear appeals, except as permitted by law in cases involving administrative review.

District Court boundaries within each State must ensure fair access to justice and equal population distribution across the federal system. No District may cross State lines. These boundaries shall be reviewed following each national census and may be redrawn to reflect changes in population, geography, or caseload.

A nonpartisan commission shall be formed to review and recommend changes to District Court boundaries, following the structure and rules outlined in this Charter.

B.3. Provincial Appellate Courts

The Federal Provincial Courts serve as the first level of federal appellate review. These courts hear appeals from District Courts within their assigned regions.

Provincial Courts may:

• Review how law and procedure were applied in the original trial,

• Affirm, reverse, or remand cases for further proceedings.

They may not conduct new trials or reexamine findings of fact, except where a procedural error or a clear violation of Rights undermined the fairness of the original trial.

Provincial Courts may also hear additional matters assigned by law, so long as those duties are consistent with this Charter.

Each State shall have one Provincial Court with jurisdiction over appeals from that State’s District Courts. The Territorial Provincial Court shall hear cases arising in any Territory of the United States and shall maintain courtroom facilities in each Territory. Existing District Court facilities may be used as needed.

B.4. Circuit Courts of Appeal

Circuit Courts of Appeal serve as the second level of federal appellate review. They hear appeals from the Provincial Courts.

Circuit Courts are responsible for:

• Ensuring uniform interpretation of law across the nation,

• Reviewing constitutional questions, legal standards, and procedural fairness,

• Resolving conflicting rulings between different Provincial Courts,

• Affirming, reversing, or remanding cases.

Circuit Courts may also hear additional matters assigned by law, provided those duties remain consistent with this Charter.

Circuit Court boundaries shall be drawn to ensure balanced caseloads, geographic accessibility, and fair distribution of appellate responsibilities. Each Circuit must include at least three (3) States, and no Circuit may divide a single State.

After each national census, an apolitical commission shall review Circuit boundaries and recommend adjustments, if needed.

B.5. The Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is the highest Court in the United States. It has final authority over all constitutional matters and serves as the ultimate appellate forum for decisions made by lower courts. It also holds original and exclusive jurisdiction over cases between two or more States, or between a State and the Federal Government.

In such original jurisdiction cases, a group of Circuit Court judges shall be randomly selected to join the hearing. The number of these judges must be one fewer than the number of Supreme Court Justices participating. All judges—Supreme and Circuit—shall hear the case, review the facts, and vote. The votes of the Circuit judges shall be recorded and shared with the Supreme Court Justices, but shall remain confidential unless an appeal is filed.

The final ruling shall be determined solely by the votes of the Supreme Court Justices—unless the losing party files an appeal within ninety-six (96) hours. If such an appeal is filed, the votes of all participating judges, including Circuit judges, shall be unsealed and counted together. That outcome is final and shall be treated as the decision of the Supreme Court.

This special procedure applies only to cases where the Supreme Court exercises original jurisdiction. It does not apply to appeals from lower courts, which follow the standard procedures set forth by this Charter and by law.

C. The Judicial Year

The Judicial Year shall begin on October 1 and end on September 30 of the following year.