REVIEW 1) What is jurisdiction? 2) Define concurrent jurisdiction. 3) Where do most of the Supreme Court’s cases come from? 4) Who was the first African American Supreme Court justice? 5) What two types of jurisdiction does the Supreme Court have?

Supreme Court Justices Over 100 men and 4 women Usually have a law degree and law experience Usually are over 50, some have been younger Most come from upper socioeconomic levels Only two African Americans and 4 women

DIVERSITY Since FDR, only 10 percent of judicial appointments have gone to candidates of the opposition party Jimmy Carter brought increased diversity to the lower courts Ronald Reagan appointed fewer minorities, but was the first to appoint a woman to the Supreme Court Nearly 50 percent of Bill Clinton’s appointees were women and minorities Roughly 32 percent of George W. Bush’s nominees have been women and minorities

The Court’s Procedures Supreme Court’s term? Oral arguments-when? Decisions-when? What happens between two weeks sittings? About what % of cases are heard by the Supreme Court? What is the Court’s main job?

HOW CASES REACH THE S.C. Writ of certiorari Who? Why? Original jurisdiction Writ of certiorari Who? Why? What happens to most cases? What happens when the writ is denied? Appellate jurisdiction -The court _______ most cases. Selecting Cases -Rule of four

STEPS IN DECIDING MAJOR CASES Submitting briefs -Amicus curiae-define/purpose of Oral Arguments -How long The conference -Purpose and length

WRITING THE OPINION DEFINE Unanimous Majority Concurring Dissenting

LIMITS ON THE SUPREME COURT Stare decisis/precedent Flexibility of the court Types of Issues -Limits on types of cases -Lack of enforcement power Checks and Balances