DO NOW

• Use class notes to fill in 7.2 worksheet.

Agenda

1. Do Now- Fill out 7.2 Worksheet using the notes we made as a class yesterday.

2. Review

3. Supreme Court Notes

4. Supreme Court Case Activity

Competencies/ Objectives

• Competencies: Students will demonstrate and understand the organization of the American Court System.

• SWBAT identify the powers of the Supreme Court.

• SWBAT recognize the importance of Supreme Court decisions.

• SWBAT teach classmates about a Supreme Court cases and create a political cartoon on their case.

Power of Judicial Review

• Judicial review- allows supreme courts to decide whether a law or presidential action is in agreement with Constitution.

• Ultimate authority to make decisions.

• If the court decide law conflicts with constitution is becomes unconstitutional.

• Established by John Marshal(1801-1835)l in 1803.

Choosing Cases

• More than 7,000 cases are filed each year.

• Court usually hear 130 to 150 of those cases.

• 4 of the 9 must vote to hear a case.

• If they choose not to hear a trial the lower courts decision is upheld.

• Remand- sent back to lower courts for a new trial.

Hearing and Deciding Cases

• Oral arguments

• Each lawyer has 30 minutes to present argument then they read written arguments on the case.

• Justices hold private meeting and simple majority wins.

• Opinion- explains reason that led to the decision

• Concurring opinion-different explanation for agreeing

• Dissenting opinion- reasons a justice thinks decision is wrong

Supreme Court Justices

• 9 justices since 1869

• 1 chief justice, 8 associate justices

• Appointed for life by president with Senate approval.

• Can only be removed by impeachment.

• No special requirements to be Supreme Court justice.

Checking the Courts Power

• President appoints justices with Senate approval

• Congress can write a better law if previous law is declared unconstitutional

• Congress can amend the constitution (16th amendment and income tax)