The Supreme Court And the Judicial Branch

The Supreme Court It has nine judges. It has nine judges.

The Supreme Court It has nine judges. It has nine judges. And one of them is a woman!

The Supreme Court Each Supreme Court justice is appointed (picked by the President, confirmed by the Senate) FOR LIFE. Each Supreme Court justice is appointed (picked by the President, confirmed by the Senate) FOR LIFE. This is to keep them from being politically influenced. This is to keep them from being politically influenced.

The Supreme Court It is the highest court in the country. It is the highest court in the country. It hears cases between states. It hears cases between states. It also hears cases of appellate jurisdiction. This means they hear case on appeal. It also hears cases of appellate jurisdiction. This means they hear case on appeal. I’m taking this all the way to the Supreme Court!

Judicial Review It also has the power to make any government action unconstitutional. It also has the power to make any government action unconstitutional. This sort of gave them the unofficial role of guardian of the Constitution. This sort of gave them the unofficial role of guardian of the Constitution. That is, they can look at some government thing and render a judgment about it.

Judicial Review This power is criticized because some say it is like making laws from the bench. This power is criticized because some say it is like making laws from the bench. What are some examples of these? What are some examples of these?

What does the Supreme Court do? It decides which cases to hear. It decides which cases to hear. It then listens to all the arguments about a case. It then listens to all the arguments about a case. Each judge thinks carefully about the case, then votes. Each judge thinks carefully about the case, then votes. Only five justices need to decide one way or another to have a ruling on a case. Only five justices need to decide one way or another to have a ruling on a case. That’s all they do? That’s too easy!

Ahhh, but… Their decisions are some of the most important in government. Their decisions are some of the most important in government. They must hope we all abide by what they decide, because if we don’t, we have only one recourse! They must hope we all abide by what they decide, because if we don’t, we have only one recourse! What is that? What is that?

Violent Conflict! Well, there are other options. Such as?

Their real work… They have to write opinions to justify their decisions. They have to write opinions to justify their decisions. Majority Opinion: The reasoning behind the ruling. Majority Opinion: The reasoning behind the ruling. Concurring Opinion: Agrees with majority opinion but for different reasons. Concurring Opinion: Agrees with majority opinion but for different reasons. Dissenting Opinion: What those justices who disagreed thought. Dissenting Opinion: What those justices who disagreed thought.

The Judicial Branch It also includes other federal courts. It also includes other federal courts. There are also state courts and municipal courts – like traffic court! There are also state courts and municipal courts – like traffic court! Overhead