Judicial Branch

JOB Interprets the laws Interprets the laws Determines if law is constitutional (judicial review) Determines if law is constitutional (judicial review) There are 9 justices or judges, so there are no tie votes There are 9 justices or judges, so there are no tie votes

TERM Life → so they are free from political pressure Life → so they are free from political pressure How do you get RID of a judge? How do you get RID of a judge? Retire/Resign Retire/Resign Impeach Impeach Die Die

QUALIFICATIONS No specific qualifications, but usually a judge from a lower court No specific qualifications, but usually a judge from a lower court

LEADER Chief Justice Chief Justice

MEMBERS John Roberts (2005 by GWB) Chief Justice age 55 John Roberts (2005 by GWB) Chief Justice age 55 Antonin Scalia (1986 by Reagan) age 74 Antonin Scalia (1986 by Reagan) age 74 Anthony Kennedy (1988 by Bush) age 74 Anthony Kennedy (1988 by Bush) age 74 Clarence Thomas (1991 by Bush) age 62 Clarence Thomas (1991 by Bush) age 62 Ruth Bader Ginsberg (1993 by Clinton) age 77 Ruth Bader Ginsberg (1993 by Clinton) age 77 Stephen Breyer (1994 by Clinton) age 72 Stephen Breyer (1994 by Clinton) age 72 Samuel Alito (2006 by GWB) age 60 Samuel Alito (2006 by GWB) age 60 Sonia Sotomayor (2009 by Obama) age 56 Sonia Sotomayor (2009 by Obama) age 56 Elena Kagan (2010 by Obama) age 50 Elena Kagan (2010 by Obama) age 50

Average age of Supreme Court Justices… Average age of Supreme Court Justices… 64 years old 64 years old

DUTIES  Judicial Review Reviews laws Congress makes and determines if they are constitutional or not Reviews laws Congress makes and determines if they are constitutional or not Gave themselves this power in the case of Marbury v. Madison (1803) Gave themselves this power in the case of Marbury v. Madison (1803)

John Roberts Chief Justice Antonin Scalia Anthony Kennedy Sonia Sotomajor Clarence Thomas

Ruth Bader Ginsberg Stephen Breyer Samuel Alito Elena Kagan

Flexibility of the Constitution Necessary and Proper Clause- Necessary and Proper Clause- ALSO- called ELASTIC CLAUSE….fit the needs of a changing society!!!!!! Judicial Review Judicial Review Supremacy Clause Supremacy Clause The Constitution is the highest law in the land The Constitution is the highest law in the land

Unwritten Constitution Things not specifically written in the Constitution but have become a part of government through time Things not specifically written in the Constitution but have become a part of government through time 2 term president(Washington)=Amendment 22 2 term president(Washington)=Amendment 22 Cabinet Cabinet Judicial Review Judicial Review Political Parties Political Parties Lobbyist (outside people hired to convince gov’t officials to vote a certain way) Lobbyist (outside people hired to convince gov’t officials to vote a certain way)

Amendments 27 amendments 27 amendments Bill of Rights (1 st ten amendments) Bill of Rights (1 st ten amendments) 2/3 vote of both houses of Congress needed to propose an amendment 2/3 vote of both houses of Congress needed to propose an amendment ¾ of states needed to approve an amendment ¾ of states needed to approve an amendment

Amendment 1-RAPS-FREEDOM of religion, Amendment 1-RAPS-FREEDOM of religion, Assembly, Press, Speech Amendment 2-Right to bear arms Amendment 3-Quartering of Troops Amendment 4-No illegal Search or Seizure Amendment 5-original intent-Life, Liberty, happiness-Rights of the Accused

Bill of Rights 1. RAPPS-Freedom of Religion, Assembly, Press, Petition, Speech 2. Right to Bear Arms 3. Right of Quartering Troops 4. No illegal Search or Seizure

Amendment 6-Trial by Jury Amendment 6-Trial by Jury Amendment 7-Trial by Jury-Civil cases Amendment 7-Trial by Jury-Civil cases Amendment 8-No excessive fines/punishments Amendment 8-No excessive fines/punishments Amendment 9-Rights of the People Amendment 9-Rights of the People Amendment 10- Rights of the People and the States Amendment 10- Rights of the People and the States