The Supreme Court

Work of the Federal Courts Remember: 97% of cases are handled by state courts Federal Court Jurisdiction – Federal Question Federal statute or regulation U.S. Constitution – Diversity Jurisdiction

Supreme Court Article III Appointment Life Tenure Composition – Associate Justices – Chief Justice – Law Clerks

Current Court

John Roberts (CJ)G.W. Bush John Paul StevensFord Antonin ScaliaReagan Anthony KennedyReagan David SouterG.H.W. Bush Clarence ThomasG.H.W. Bush Ruth Bader GinsburgClinton Steven BreyerClinton Samuel AlitoG.W. Bush200656

Supreme Court’s Work First Monday in October – June/July Original Jurisdiction v. Appellate Jurisdiction Cert Petitions “Rule of Four”

Certiorari Petitions TermAll FilingsIFP Filings Cases Argued

Deciding on the Merits Information – Litigant Briefs – “Record” – Amicus Briefs – Oral Argument 30 minutes per side Conference Votes

Opinions Opinion of the Court – Majority – Plurality Dissenting Opinions Concurring Opinions

Opinions Describe History of Case Describe “Precedent” – Stare decisis – Reason by analogy Holding – Becomes precedent – Weight depends on majority v. plurality

What Matters Not Just Who Wins / Who Loses REASONING