1. 4/13 Warm Up List the objects and people depicted in the cartoon.
What is happening in the cartoon?
What is the artist’s message?

2. Answer
In football the referees makes sure that both teams play by the rules.
In our government the judicial branch checks the other two branches by making sure they follow the Constitution.

3. Objectives
SWBAT
describe the structure and function of the Supreme Court
define the difference between original and appellate jurisdiction.
list the key provisions in the Constitution relating to the judiciary.

4. What do you already know about the Judicial Branch?

5. The US Supreme Court What does the Supreme Court do?
How does someone get appointed to the Supreme Court?
How does a case get to the Supreme Court?
What kinds of cases are heard by the Supreme Court?

6. What does the Supreme Court do?
Main job is to interpret the law
Judicial Review – the ability to decide questions of constitutionality
Allows court to declare federal and state laws that conflict with the Constitution unconstitutional

7. Judicial Review
Which Supreme Court case established the power of judicial review?
Marbury v. Madison

8. How do you become a Supreme Court Judge?
What are the qualifications?
None!

9. How does someone get appointed to the Supreme Court?
Appointed by the President and approved by the Senate
Once approved, they have the job for life
Only ways to leave is by resigning, retiring, dying or being impeached

10. So can the president make anyone a Supreme Court Justice?
Harriet Myers
Nominated by George W. Bush
Previous exp:
Bush’s personal lawyer
Never a judge
No experience w/ constitutional law
Nomination withdrawn b/c of Senate disapproval

11. What kinds of cases are heard by the USSC?
Only chooses to hear cases that present a pressing constitutional issue
Ex: the constitutionality of segregated public facilities
USSC only hears about of the 7500 cases that are sent to the court each year

12. How does a case get to the Supreme Court (USSC)?
Jurisdiction – the legal power to hear and decide cases

13. Jurisdiction Two types
Appellate: power of a court to review and revise a lower court's decision
Original: power of a court to decide a case for the first time

14. Former Ravens running back Jamal Lewis strains to get the ball across the plane for a touchdown.

15. Why does Coach Cowher throw the red flag?

16. What is the referee doing?

17. And the decision is…
What does this have to do with original and appellate jurisdiction?

18. What do you know about the Supreme Court?
What does the Supreme Court do?
How does someone become a Supreme Court Justice?
How does a case get to the Supreme Court?
What kinds of cases are heard by the Supreme Court?

19. USSC Original Jurisdiction
In cases involving:
ambassadors and other foreign officials
states as a party

20. What does the MI court system look like?
Supreme Court
Court of Appeals
Circuit Court
District Court-Felonies
Municipal Court-Misdemeanors

21. What are the 3 types of federal courts?
Supreme Court
Circuit Courts of Appeals
District Courts

22. Federal Courts Judge with jury Original jurisdiction
United States District Court
Judge with jury
Original jurisdiction
Hear civil & criminal cases
94 (at least 1 per state)
Over 550 judges

23. Federal Courts United States Circuit Court of Appeals Judges-no jury
Appellate jurisdiction
13 (12 Circuits and 1 U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (the 13th Court))
6-27 judges at each court

24. Federal Courts United States Supreme Court Justices-no jury
Appellate and limited original jurisdiction
1 court with 9 Justices

25. What kinds of cases go through our court system?
Criminal cases – when a law has been broken, determines guilt or innocence of the accused
Felony: major crime
Misdemeanor: minor crime
Petty: very minor crime
Civil cases – when a person has been hurt or wronged in some way
Broken contracts, damage to property, divorce, etc.
Students take notes

26. Civil vs. Criminal
What kinds of cases are heard in Judge Judy’s court?

27. Judicial Branch in a Flash
Complete the worksheet and crossword puzzle with your partner.

28. Federal Courts True or False
The Supreme Court is a trial court.
The federal court system was created by Congress.
If you break a federal law, your case will tried in a state court.
When you ask a higher court to review your case, you are making an appeal.