Unit 8 Chapter 12 Supreme Court Decision Making

Unit 8 Chapter 12 Supreme Court Decision Making Section 1: The Supreme Court at Work Section 2: Shaping Public Policy Section 3: Influencing Court Decisions

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

I CAN: 1. 2. Explain how certain cases reach the courts Evaluate the steps the Court takes in determining the outcome of a case

Section 1 The Supreme Court at Work

Facts of Congress: Judicial Branch http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=pyq. EAP Ynhjk

PBS Supreme Court Videos http: //www. pbs. org/wnet/supremecourt/ Watch three videos on this site: 1. Creation of the Courts 2. Showdown 3. You have the right to remain silent

How Cases Reach the Court 1) WRIT OF CERTIORAI 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 2) APPEAL Decision of lower federal or state court has been requested to be reviewed

Solicitor General Video http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=w 3 unc 4 Eu. Lg Please watch this video.

Solicitor General 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

Solicitor General Question Who is the solicitor general of the United States?

Selecting Cases “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

Rule of Four Video http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Udue 9 D l. K 3 hg

Steps in Deciding Major Cases

1) Submitting Briefs 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

2) Oral Arguments After briefs lawyers from each side present oral arguments before the court Monday. Wednesday They usually last 30 minutes

Oral Argument Video http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=UJQ 7 Ds 4 n. Am. A&feature=relmfu Chief Justice John Roberts on Oral Arguments

3) The Conference 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.

Supreme Court Conference Video http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Srr. NQg bf. Iww Justice Kennedy on Court Conferences

4) Writing the 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

4 types of Opinions 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

Opinions Videos http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=u 9_w. AV x. KO 1 o Opinions and the Obama Healthcare Law