Section 1: The Supreme Court at Work

Section 2: Shaping Public PolicySection 3: Influencing Court

Decisions

How does the Supreme Court determine which cases it will hear and the outcome of the each case?

1. Explain how certain cases reach the courts

2. Evaluate the steps the Court takes in determining the outcome of a case

The Supreme Court at Work

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyqEAPYnhjk

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/supremecourt/

Watch three videos on this site:1.Creation of the Courts2.Showdown3.You have the right to remain silent

1) WRIT OF CERTIORAI 2) APPEAL

An order from the Court to a lower court to send up the records

Lower court has either made an error or a constitutional issue is raised

Decision of lower federal or state court has been requested to be reviewed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3unc4-EuLg

Please watch this video.

Appointed by the President and represents the federal government before the Supreme Court

Determines whether the Federal government should appeal lower courts decisions to Supreme Court

Who is the solicitor general of the United States?

“Rule of Four”- only four of nine justices need to agree to hear a case

Per Curian Opinion- brief, unsigned statement of the Court’s decision

Occurs when court rules without consulting new information

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Udue9DlK3hg

Brief- written statement setting forth the legal arguments, relevant facts, and precedents supporting one side of a case

Amicus Curiae- briefs written by individuals, interest groups, or government that have useful information for the court to consider

After briefs lawyers from each side present oral arguments before the court Monday-Wednesday

They usually last 30 minutes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJQ7Ds4nAmA&feature=relmfu

Chief Justice John Roberts on Oral Arguments

Justices meet Wednesday and Fridays

A tradition is they shake hands

The conference meetings are secret

A majority must be in agreement to decide a case, and at least 6 must be present.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrrNQgbfIww

Justice Kennedy on Court Conferences

Opinion- written statements on cases they have already decided

States the facts of the case, announces the Court’s ruling, and explains its reasoning in reacing the decision

1. Unanimous- all justices vote the same way.

2. Majority- expresses the views of the majority of the justices on a case

3. Concurring- Agree with majority’s decision but have a different reason why

4. Dissenting- opinion of justices on the losing side in a case

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9_wAVxKO1o

Opinions and the Obama Healthcare Law