How the Federal Government Works: The Judicial Branch 8.28 Describe the significance of the Magna Carta, the English Bill of Rights, and the Mayflower Compact in relation to the development of government in America. (C, H, P) 8.33 Describe the principles embedded in the Constitution, including the purposes of government listed in the Preamble, separation of powers, check and balances, the amendment process, federalism, and recognition of and protections of individual rights in the Bill of Rights. (P)

Courts Supreme Court Judiciary Act of 1789 – set up the System of courts that we have today

Lower Courts District Courts – evidence submitted during trials either a judge or jury decide the case. Appeals – the decision be reviewed by a higher court Appellate Court- judges review decisions to see if the law was interpreted correctly Court cases are either state or federal jurisdiction. Most cases are state jurisdiction because they involve state laws

Cases under Federal jurisdiction 1.The United States is either suing another party or being sued by another party 2.The case is based on the Constitution or on a federal law 3.The case involves disputed between different states.

Supreme Court Top of the court system Consists of a chief justice and 8 associate justices. Appointed by the President Congress must approve the appointments Term: retire, resign, die Can be impeached

Supreme Court Main job: serves as the nation’s final court of appeal. Fewer than 100 cases a year Decisions: major vote One justice write the majority opinion- explains the decision A justice who voted against the decision can write a dissenting opinion

Judicial Review The MOST important power of the Supreme Court is the power to DECIDE WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS. The court has the right to declare whether acts of the President or laws passed by congress are unconstitutional Marybury v. Madison