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.