Article III-The Judicial Branch Our Nation’s Court System

Main roles and powers Interpret the law Exercise the power of judicial review Chief Justice presides over trials of presidential impeachment

Qualifications Judges serve for life NO other age, citizenship requirements

Judicial Review (est. Marbury V Madison 1803) SUPREME COURT HAS FINAL SAY! Determines if the following actions are allowable by the Constitution −laws passed by Congress −treaties negotiated by the President and approved by the Senate −actions by the President in enforcing the law are allowable by the Constitution −laws passed by states are

Jurisdiction Hear cases about: − Federal law − Treaties − Maritime law − Interpretation of the Constituion The Supreme Court hears cases of appeal from lower federal and state courts The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction (may hear a case first) in cases involving a state vs. state matter or a branch vs. branch matter

Article V Amending the Constitution Only 27 Amendments! First 10 = The Bill of Rights 1791 Difficult to amend Constitution would not have been ratified without BOR ernment/amendments.htm

First 10 Amendments (AKA) Bill of Rights Rank YOUR Rights! SEE HAND OUT Take out a piece of paper and list the first 10 amendments in the order that they are important to you. (#1 is most important) Explain why your first 5 are important to you or give an example of when you might need the protection.