1. Bellwork: Day 5 BrainPopBrainPop: Write out the seven scenarios below and decide if they are criminal cases or civil cases. Prepare your notebook!

2. Assignment 3: The US Court System

3. A Dual Court System There are two separate court systems in the US: state and federal. Most cases are heard at state level We are mostly going to talk about the federal court system

4. Types of Federal Courts Q: Which court is at the top of the US Federal Court System? A:

5. The Supreme Court The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States. Their opinions matter! The decisions they make set a precedent (or rule) for the future. Their opinions matter! The decisions they make set a precedent (or rule) for the future. Sup. Ct is made up of 8 justices and 1 Chief Justice (9 total) Sup. Ct is made up of 8 justices and 1 Chief Justice (9 total) They are appointed by the President and approved by the Senate They are appointed by the President and approved by the Senate

6. Elena Kagan Obama recently selected Elena Kagan as the next Supreme Court Justice because John Paul Stevens is retiring. Senate will have to approve her first. Will take a few months.

7. Why Are They So Important? The decisions they make are incredibly important. The decisions they make are incredibly important. They are appointed to lifetime terms (with good behavior), so they can’t be influenced by voters opinions. They are appointed to lifetime terms (with good behavior), so they can’t be influenced by voters opinions. Using the power of judicial review, they can look at acts of Congress, the Executive Branch, and the states and declare them unconstitutional. Using the power of judicial review, they can look at acts of Congress, the Executive Branch, and the states and declare them unconstitutional. The Supreme Court first was first used (and thus confirmed) in Marbury v. Madison. The Supreme Court first was first used (and thus confirmed) in Marbury v. Madison.

8. When is Something Unconstitutional? Something is unconstitutional when it goes against the US Constitution. Supreme Court cannot reverse a law just because It’s unpopular It’s bad for America The president or Congress tells them to

9. Examples In the case of Plessy v. Ferguson 1896, the Supreme Court ruled that a business could have separate facilities for blacks and whites as long as they were equal. (“Separate but equal”)

10. Examples In 1954, the Supreme Court overturned that ruling in Brown v. Board of Education. They ruled that separate but equal was unconstitutional because it violated the 14 th Amendment.

11. Examples In Mapp v. Ohio (1966), police entered Mapp’s home without a proper warrant looking for a suspect. Suspect wasn’t there, but they found porn (illegal at that time). Arrested her. Supreme Court ruled that you can’t use improperly obtained evidence against someone. Said the 4 th Amendment protects you from unreasonable search and seizure.

12. Finish Assignment 2