1. Bell Ringer Open books to page 722.
Read section 2 pages and fill in the note sheet.
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2. Bell Ringer 2 Open books to page 725.
Finish filling in the note sheet. You may work with your partner.
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3. Chapter 31 The Judicial Branch
Section 2: The Supreme Court

4. The Supreme Court
A Supreme Court decision establishes the broadest and longest-lasting kind of precedent in our legal system.

5. Judicial Review
One of the most important powers of the Supreme Court is Judicial Review: the powers to overturn any law that the court decides is in conflict with the Constitution.
Judicial review gives the judicial branch the final say over whether any law is valid.

6. The Justices
The President chooses a Justice from among the most respected judges, lawyers, and legal scholars in the country
Then, the Senate must approve the President's appointments.
The Supreme Court is made up of the Chief Justice of the United States and eight associate justices.

7. The Work of the Supreme Court
Selecting Cases
Each year, the court chooses which cases to hear.
By law, it must hear certain kinds of appeals from federal and state courts that involve the federal governments or federal laws.
It hears cases involving representatives of foreign governments and all the disputes between state governments.
The remainder of the cases the court hears each year are chosen from among more than 8,000 requests for appeal it receives from the lowers courts.
In most cases, petitions for review are denied for two reasons.
Reason 1: Most Justices agree with the lower court decision.
Reason 2: the case involves no significant point of law.

8. Cases Before the Supreme Court
Year
# of Cases before the Court
# of Cases Heard by the Court
2001
7,924
2002
8,255
2003
7,814
2004
7,469
2005
8,521

9. Cases before the Supreme Court
Year
# of Cases before the Court
# of cases Heard by the Court
2001
7,924 88
2002
8,255 84
2003
7,814 91
2004
7,469 87
2005
8,521

10. The Work of the Supreme Court
Hearing arguments
Each side in the case submits briefs or written arguments.
The attorney for each side present arguments before the court
Each attorney has only half an hour to present the arguments.

11. The Work of the Supreme Court
Making a decision
After hearing arguments, the court meets to discuss that case and vote on it.
Only the Justices are allowed to attend
The Chief Justice leads the discussions of each case summarizing it and offering an opinion.
Then, each justice has an opportunity to comment.
A Chief Justice calls for a vote, and the majority decides the case.

12. The Work of the Supreme Court
Writing Opinions
Most Supreme Court decisions are accompanied by an opinion: a written statement explaining the reasons for the decision.
A Supreme Court opinion shows exactly how the law must be applied, or how the Constitution must be interpreted in a specific situation.

13. A Changing Court
The court has had three different "personalities" reflecting the views of the Chief Justice at the time.
: The Warren Court: It was known for its defense of the rights of people accused of crime.
:The Burger Court: Characterized by judicial restraint, which is an effort by judges to avoid overturning laws and leave policy making up to the other two branches of government.
Court lead by Justice William Rehnquist made a number of important decisions limiting the federal government's authority over the states.

14. Influence on Judicial Decision Making
A Justices responsibility is to make sure they apply the laws appropriately when making a decision.
When making a decisions on cases that come before the court, the Justices try to determine the intentions of lawmakers at the time they made a particular law.
Supreme Court Justices try to be impartial and to respect precedent.

15. The Court and other Branches of Government
The Presidents Power
One of the checks on the Supreme Court is the President’s power to appoint justices.
This power can be exercised only when a Justice dies or retires.

16. The Court and other Branches of Government
The Power of Congress
The Senate can check the power of the President and the Supreme Court by refusing to confirm Presidential appointments to the Supreme Court.
In this way, the Senate can weed out appointees who it believes are unsuited for the job.
Congress can also check the power of the court through a constitutional amendment.
If ratified by the states, an amendment proposed by Congress can nullify, or cancel out, a Supreme Court decision.

17. The Court and other Branches of Government
Citizen Participation
If the Supreme Court makes a decision that goes against the wishes of the majority, citizens can always turn to Congress and the amendment process.
They can elect a President who promises to appoint justices who ideas they like.

18. The “Highest Court in the Land”
Just above the room in which the Supreme Court meets, is this…

19. Review Jobs
Walker: This person is in charge of bringing the strip of paper to the teacher.
Writer: This person is in charge of writing the answers on the strip of paper. Choose someone with NEAT handwriting.
Researcher: This person(s) is in charge of searching for the answers in the notes

20. Review Rules Each group will receive a strip of paper.
DO NOT turn the paper over until directed to by the teacher.
When the paper is turned around the writer will read the questions to the group. The researchers will look for the answers and tell them to the writer to be written.
When all question are answered the walker will bring the answers to the teacher. NO RUNNING OR PUSHING
If the teacher can not read the handwriting the answer will be counted as wrong.
If students are pushing or arguing their answers will not be looked at.
The round is over when a group has submitted all correct answers.