Section 1: The Supreme Court at Work Section 2: Shaping Public Policy Section 3: Influencing Court Decisions

 How does the Supreme Court determine which cases it will hear and the outcome of the each case?

1. Explain how certain cases reach the courts 2. Evaluate the steps the Court takes in determining the outcome of a case

The Supreme Court at Work

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  Watch three videos on this site: 1. Creation of the Courts 2. Showdown 3. You have the right to remain silent

1) WRIT OF CERTIORAI2) APPEAL  An order from the Court to a lower court to send up the records  Lower court has either made an error or a constitutional issue is raised  Decision of lower federal or state court has been requested to be reviewed

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 Appointed by the President and represents the federal government before the Supreme Court  Determines whether the Federal government should appeal lower courts decisions to Supreme Court

 Who is the solicitor general of the United States?

 “Rule of Four”- only four of nine justices need to agree to hear a case  Per Curian Opinion- brief, unsigned statement of the Court’s decision  Occurs when court rules without consulting new information

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 Brief- written statement setting forth the legal arguments, relevant facts, and precedents supporting one side of a case  Amicus Curiae- briefs written by individuals, interest groups, or government that have useful information for the court to consider

 After briefs lawyers from each side present oral arguments before the court Monday- Wednesday  They usually last 30 minutes

 Ds4nAmA&feature=relmfu Ds4nAmA&feature=relmfu  Chief Justice John Roberts on Oral Arguments

 Justices meet Wednesday and Fridays  A tradition is they shake hands  The conference meetings are secret  A majority must be in agreement to decide a case, and at least 6 must be present.

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 Opinion- written statements on cases they have already decided  States the facts of the case, announces the Court’s ruling, and explains its reasoning in reacing the decision

1. Unanimous- all justices vote the same way. 2. Majority- expresses the views of the majority of the justices on a case 3. Concurring- Agree with majority’s decision but have a different reason why 4. Dissenting- opinion of justices on the losing side in a case

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