Article I: Article II:Article III:

LegislativeExecutive

JudicialCourts = “least

dangerous” branch

Organization of the Constitution:

• vested in a Supreme Court.• any lower courts Congress may create.

• “Judicial Power”Judicial Review?

4 things to know from the Const.:

• Senate must approve w/ simple majority vote.• Qualification

s?

• President appoints.

• During “good behavior.”• Can be impeached & removed.

3 ways a judge can leave the bench:

1) Imp. & Rem.2) Die.3) Resign/Retire.

(H S. M.) (S 2/3)

*

• Constitution is silent.

• FDR – “court packing”

• Congress decides.

• +1 for each justice 70• 6+ 9 = 15

• 9 since the 1860s.

FEDERALISM

FederalCourtSystem

StateCourtSystems

“Dual System” of courts

National laws State laws

S.C.

Federal District Courts

Federal Appeals Courts

90+

12

Trial Courts

Courts ofReview

1

Jury

StateS.C.

State District Courts

State Appeals Courts

Trial Courts

To Fed.Courts

Jury

3 women

6 men

(Most ever!)

5 by RepublicanPresidents

4 by DemocratPresidents

Reagan (2),H.W. Bush (1)W. Bush (2)

Clinton (2),Obama (2)

Six Steps(of a case in the Supreme Court)

• 7500-10,000 cases appealed.• 75-100 cases accepted.

≈1%

• Writ of Certiorari.

• Precedents – Stare Decisis.

• Prepare questions.

• Friends of the Court Briefs – Amicus Curiae.

• 30 Minutes per side.

• Discussion and non-binding vote.

• Majority Opinion.

• Dissenting Opinion.

• Concurring Opinion.