1. The Supreme Court

2. Warm-Up
1. What does it mean when a court has original jurisdiction over a case?
2. How does the Court of Appeals act as a ”gatekeeper” of the Supreme Court?

3. Judicial Review Decide the constitutionality of an act of government
Stands as final authority in all cases involving federal law
Has the final authority on the meaning of the constitution
In Marbury v. Madison CJ Marshall declared
Constitution supreme law of the land
Other actions of government are inferior and cannot conflict with constitution
This case created the concept of judicial review

4. Supreme Court Jurisdiction
Has original and appellate jurisdiction, most cases come from appellate
Has original jurisdiction when
A state is a party in a suit
An ambassador, public minister or consul is involved
Controversies involve two or more states
Most are denied petition for review b/c justices agree w/ decision or no significant point of law
Most cases reach S.C. by writ of certiorari, in which S.C. orders lower court to send up case for review
Writ is only provided for in matters of constitutionality or interpretation of statue
Supreme Court receives 8,000 + cases per year, court hears less than 100 cases per year

5. How the Court Operates
Justices consider cases in two week cycles, 2 weeks of oral arguments followed by 2 weeks of consideration & other business
Lawyer arguments are limited to 30 minutes during public sessions
Prior to case court receives and reviews briefs, including sometimes amicus curiae briefs
Solicitor general is United States chief attorney & represents nation in any S.C. case
Also decides which cases U.S. should ask S.C. to review & position the nation takes on those cases
Court sits from first Monday of October until June or July, breiefs are arguments for one side contain evidence, facts, arguments, prior decisions

6. Conference and Opinions
Decide on cases they heard oral arguments for & decide new cases they will hear
Chief Justice speaks their mind first & indicates how they will vote
Other justices in order of seniority then speaks summarizing his/her views
Approx. 30% of all cases unanimous
Majority opinion is official opinion of the court on case
Concurring opinions sometimes written in support of majority
Dissenting opinions written by loser justices