US Court System Which branch of government decides law through rulings? Why are there so many levels & types of courts? Which court is the highest?

The Supreme Court

The Real Highest Court in the Land Justices joke that they are not the highest court Above their court room is a basketball court

 How many justices are on the Supreme Court  Initially 6 and as high as 10  9 since 1869  How many cases does the Supreme Court rule on?  7,500 cases are sent to the Supreme Court  They hear 80 to 100  What cases are heard by the Supreme Court?  Original Jurisdiction if involves ambassadors, public ministers, admiralty and maritime, between 2 or more states, between a state and Citizens of another state, US vs. another country citizen  Most often – Appellate Jurisdiction

 How long is their term? Why?  Life  How much do they make?  $208,100 per year as of 2008  Chief Justice gets $217,400  What qualifications do you need to be a justice?  No official qualifications, most have law backgrounds

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Born: 1955 in New York 56 years old Appointed by: George W. Bush Republican Appointment Vote in 2005 Political Leanings: Conservative Judge, Lawyer, Professor, more

Justice Antonin Scalia Born: 1936 in Trenton, New Jersey 75 years old Appointed by: Reagan Republican 98-0 Appointment Vote in 1986 Political Leanings: Conservative Assistant Attorney General, Professor, Lawyer, more

Justice Anthony Kennedy Born: 1936 in Sacramento, California 75 years old Appointed by: Reagan Republican 97-0 Appointment Vote in 1988 Political Leanings: Conservative who sometimes votes liberal Professor, Lawyer, Judge,

Justice Clarence Thomas Born: 1948 in Pin Point, Georgia 63 years old Appointed by: G.H.W Bush Republican Appointment Vote in 1991 Political Leanings: Conservative Chairman of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Legislative Assistant for Senator, Judge, Attorney General, more

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Born: 1933 in Brooklyn, New York 78 years old Appointed by: Clinton Democrat 96-3 Appointment Vote in 1993 Political Leanings: Liberal Judge, Professor, Lawyer, more

Justice Stephen Breyer Born: 1938 in San Francisco, California 73 years old Appointed by: Clinton Democrat 87-9 Appointment Vote in 1994 Political Leanings: Liberal Judge, Professor, more

Justice Samuel Alito Born: 1950 in Trenton, New Jersey 61 years old Appointed by: G.W. Bush Republican Appointment Vote in 2006 Political Leanings: Conservative Judge, Professor, more

Justice Sonia Sotomayor Born: 1954 in The Bronx, New York 57 years old Appointed by: Obama Democrat Appointment Vote in 2009 Political Leanings: Liberal Judge, Lawyer, more

Justice Elena Kagan Born: 1960 in New York, New York 51 years old Appointed by: Obama Democrat Appointment Vote in Aug 2010 Political Leanings: Unproven Law Clerk for Justices, Lawyer, professor, more

Summary 3 Liberal 4 Conservative 1 Conservative that sometimes votes Liberal 1 Unproven, looks to be Liberal 4 over 70 What could happen in the next few years? What would that do to the court?

 President Nominates President Nominates  Senate approves or disapproves through Confirmation Hearing  Judiciary Committee gives opening statement  Nominee gives opening statement  2 rounds of questions where each member of the Judiciary Committee can ask questions  Can keep asking questions if they wish

 Committee hears from witnesses in favor and opposition of nominee  Committee reports findings to Senate and gives Recommendation  Senators vote to confirm  Majority must be present and voting  Confirmed = Supreme Court Justice  Approximately 80% of nominees are confirmed

 You and A partner (2 People) will complete research on a Landmark Supreme Court Case and present your findings to the class. You need a visual of some kind (PowerPoint, printout, etc.)