Lesson Three The Supreme Court By: Jesse Register, Victoria Woodcock, and Quentin Michalec

Jurisdiction and Duties By: Victoria Woodcock The Supreme Court has many jobs but it mainly decides if laws are constitutional, or if they are allowed by the U.S. Constitution. The Supreme Court has jurisdiction in two types of situations, cases that involve disputes in two or more states and cases that involve diplomats from foreign countries.

Jurisdiction and Duties By: Victoria Woodcock The Supreme Court always has authority in cases involving the Constitution, acts of Congress, and other nations. Whatever the Supreme Court decides applies to all lower courts. The Supreme Court decides which of the cases it wants to hear. Lady Justice

Jurisdiction and Duties By: Victoria Woodcock There nine justices on The Supreme Court, one chief justice and eight associate justices. Congress has the power to change the number of justices. In the Constitution there are no listed qualifications for Supreme Court justice. Many current justices have practiced law. However, this is not a requirement. All justices have their job for life. This is why the nominees get so much attention.

Powers and Limits By: Jesse Register In Article III of the Constitution it creates the judicial branch. Although it does not describe it in detail. Congress has established a majority of the rules that are standing today and govern and organize the Supreme Court. The checks and balance system keeps everyone from having too much power, including the Supreme Court.

Powers and Limits By: Jesse Register One of the most prominent powers of the Supreme Court is the Judicial review. Meaning that the Court can review any local, federal, or state law to see if it goes against the Constitution. If the law is Constitutional then it stands, if not then the Court nullifies it. To nullify a law means to legally cancel that law.

Limits on the Supreme Court By: Quentin Michalec Crowds are arguing about how they should count all of Florida's votes and are protesting in front of the Supreme Court. After the president won in 2000 the Supreme Court heard two cases about recounting the florida vote and these cases were lucky enough to be heard since the court can only hear cases that come to it. There is also a limit to what the Supreme Court can do. The Supreme Court can not tell or make the government do anything but they can suggest it.

Limits on the Supreme Court By: Quentin Michalec The court doesn’t always have all say on everything though. For instance in 1832 President Andrew Jackson refused to obey the decisions made by the court for breaking treaties with the Cherokees. If congress disagrees with a ruling, it can pass a new law. Or they could actually can change the law entirely but temporarily, but they still have to follow the rules they establish themselves. All cases taken have to be legal disputes. So a person cannot ask the court to decide whether a law is constitutional.

Fun facts about the Supreme Court By: Victoria Woodcock and Jesse Register They have there own police service called the Supreme Court police Justices Antonin Scalia and Ruth Bader Ginsberg were good friends and often went to the opera together, even though they differed in their judicial opinion Justice Elena Kagan is responsible for getting the first frozen-yogurt machine installed in the Supreme Court cafeteria The top floor of the Supreme Court building houses a gym with a basketball court

Thank you for listening! We hope you enjoyed our presentation on the Jurisdiction, powers, and limits.