1. United states government
Thursday, December 7, 2017

2. Warm-Up: Field Trip Reflection
1) What was your favorite experience at the Supreme Court?
2) What was your favorite experience at the U.S. Attorney’s Office?
3) Overall, do you think that the field trips you have attended this semester have added to your understanding of the U.S. government? Why or why not?
4) What specific recommendations would you make in order to make the field trips more effective?

3. The U.S. Supreme Court: Procedures

4. 3 2 1 Federal Court System “Appellate Jurisdiction”
“Original Jurisdiction”

5. 2 1

6. The U.S. Supreme Court can review cases from BOTH the federal AND STATE court systems if they believe there is a constitutional issue involved

7. Ernesto Miranda
1963
Arizona
Miranda v Arizona

8. How does the U.S. Supreme Court decide which cases they will look at?
8,000 Appeals
Each Year

9. “Abstain” Or 1 3 2 4 “The Rule of Four”
When at least FOUR of the NINE Justices on the U.S. Supreme Court decide they want to review a case they will issue a “Writ of Certiorari”
(A request to look at a lower court’s decision; they don’t have to rule on it)
1000s
Writ of Certiorari 1 3 2 4
“The Rule of Four” Or
“Abstain”

10. The U.S. Supreme Court only issues about 100 “Writs of Certiorari” a year (out of about 8,000 appeals). It generally issues a formal written opinion on only about 75 of these cases

11. Writ of Certiorari
“Abstain” 1 2 3 4
“What Happens Next?”

12. “Briefs”
“Petitioner”
“Respondent”

13. *Each side gets just 30 minutes to present their case to the justices
Oral Arguments
*Each side gets just 30 minutes to present their case to the justices
Petitioner
and
Respondent

14. After hearing oral arguments the justices adjourn to discuss the case in private (this can take minutes, hours, days, weeks, or even months!)

15. Once discussions are over the justices vote in secret; a simple majority (5 of the 9 justices) rules4 6 2 8 5 7 9 3 1

16. The Supreme Court justices can issue one of three different “opinions” (written explanations of their decision):

17. Five, Six, Seven, Eight, or Nine
1) Majority Opinion- The decision supported by MOST of the justices
Five, Six, Seven, Eight, or Nine
Majority Opinion

18. 2) Concurring Opinion- Opinion of a Justice or Justices who agree with the majority decision but for different reasons
Majority Opinion
Concurring Opinion

19. 3) Dissenting Opinion- The opinion expressed by the losing minority of Justices on the Court
8-1
Dissenting Opinion

20. Exit Ticket: Practice MCQ
What term refers to a Supreme Court opinion that explains the reasoning supporting the Court’s decision, and has the force of law which all lower courts must apply?
A. Majority Opinion
B. Concurring Opinion
C. Dissenting Opinion
D. Writ of Certiorari

21. Government Roulette!

22. Reminder
Mastery Check #6: Tuesday, 12/12