Unit 3

In this unit you will learn about your civil liberties, civil rights, and the workings of the U.S. judicial branch! Warm-up:  What are civil liberties?  Are protections given to individuals against action of the government.  Where are they found (written)?  They are usually found in the U.S. Constitution, specifically, in the bill of rights and other amendments.

 Civil Liberties -- Rights that need protection from the government  Civil Rights -- Rights that need protection by the government against actions of others This sign was common place in many parts of the United States. Civil rights are rights that need protection by the government against the actions of others.

 They include freedoms of:  religion  speech & press  assembly

 against arbitrary searches  unfair trials  cruel punishments

 Interpreting what these rights mean is not easy.  The job of doing that in the U.S. falls to the U.S. Supreme Court.  The Supreme Court (SCOTUS) has the power of judicial review

 Judicial Review: power of the Supreme Court to determine the meaning of the constitution

 Judicial Review  Marbury v. Madison (1803)

 In the end, interpreting the meaning of American civil liberties is a complicated balancing act between the needs of society and that of the individual.  Rights are relative, not absolute…..

Case Study: Judicial Review in action!

 9 Justices  Nominated by President  Approved by Senate  Hold position for life or until retire

THE ROAD TO SCOTUS

US COURT OF APPEALS AND US DISTRICT COURTS