1. Bell Ringer What is the purpose of the judicial branch?
List 5 facts you already know about the judicial branch
What is 1 question you have?

2. Bell Ringer
Do you think justices should take public opinion or their own political views into account when deciding court cases? Why/why not?

3. Textbook Assignment Take out Federal Court System Packet
Reading is posted on my website—must do the vocab!
Quiz on Mon. 4/24 (A Day) or Tues. 4/25 (B Day)

4. Bell Ringer What is an opinion, as it pertains to the Supreme Court?
What is the majority opinion?
What is the concurring opinion?
What is the dissenting opinion?

5. The Judicial Branch
The Basic Structure

6. Vocabulary Practice! Inferior Courts Plaintiff Original Jurisdiction
Docket
Redress
Criminal Case
Exclusive Jurisdiction
Courts-martial
Majority Opinion
Civil Case
Certificate
Civilian Tribunal

7. Concurrent Jurisdiction
Vocabulary Practice!
Jurisdiction
Concurrent Jurisdiction
Defendant
Appellate Jurisdiction
Writ of certiorari
Precedent
Concurring Opinion
Dissenting Opinion
Civilian Tribunal
Judicial Restraint
Judicial Review
Judicial Activism

8. The Role of the Judicial Branch
To interpret and define law
Hearing individual cases
Deciding how the law should apply

9. Creation of a National Judiciary
Problems with the Articles of Confederation and the courts
No national courts
Interpretation left to states
Internal disputes difficult to solve
Article III of the Constitution creates “one supreme court, and such inferior courts”
Congress creates the system underneath Supreme Court – inferior courts

10. Types of Federal Courts

11. Federal Court Jurisdiction
Article III, Section 2 of the Constitution provides that the federal courts may hear a case because of either:
1) the subject matter
2) the parties involved in the case
Subject Matter
Parties Involved
U.S. Const., Federal Law or Treaty
Admiralty Law (on sea or U.S. water)
Maritime Law (matter on land, but directly relate to water)
U.S. official or agency
Ambassador or foreign official
State is suing or being sued
Citizens from different states
U.S. citizen suing foreign govt.
Citizens of same state, but land dispute is in another state

12. Federal Court Jurisdiction
Remember federalism!
Federal courts = federal law
State courts = state laws
VS.

13. Types of Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction – the authority of a court to hear (try and decide on) a case
4 Types of Jurisdiction:
Exclusive Jurisdiction – only federal court has authority to hear, state court cannot (ambassadors)
Concurrent Jurisdiction – federal or state court could hear (ID resident sues company in FL)
Original Jurisdiction – court is the first one to hear a case
Appellate Jurisdiction – court can only hear a case on appeal
What makes the Supreme Court so special?
Able to have both original AND appellate jurisdiction!!

14. Appointment, Term & Salary
President nominates someone to become a judge
Senate majority vote confirms
Senatorial Courtesy
Term
Judges of Constitutional Courts serve for life
Resign, retire, or die
Removed by impeachment
Judges of Special Courts not appointed for life
Salary
Congress sets (currently $199,000)
Retirement
Oliver Wendell holmes (oldest justice—90)

15. Judicial Restraint Vs. Judicial Activism
Judges should not use own beliefs when interpreting the Constitution
Not trying to make policies
Instead, look at other branches and states to make laws
Must stay within limits of powers
Views of Same-Sex Marriage?
Justices should reinterpret Constitution and laws as society changes
Look at needs of society when other branches/states are not meeting needs
Independent policy makers
Views of legalizing marijuana?

16. SCOTUS Research Get into your assigned groups!
Using the back of the worksheet and your cell phones, research the SCOTUS Justice you have been assigned
All research must be complete by next class…use your time wisely!