1. : What is the role of the Presidential Cabinet?
Entrance Slip :
What is the role of the Presidential Cabinet?

2. Learner Outcome
Students will evaluate the effectiveness of the judicial branch of government in representing and meeting the needs of the people.

3. Order in the Courts 3

4. Judicial Branch Basics
Before the Constitution was written, each State was interpreting laws for itself. Confusion from one state to the next emphasized the need for a national court system.
The judicial branch was created to interpret laws according to the Constitution. 4

5. Supreme Court Justices - Qualifications
Supreme Court justices are appointed (assigned) by the President with Senate approval.
Supreme Courts Justices are appointed for LIFE.

6. Judicial Branch and the Judge
It is a Judges role to be a unbiased in making decisions between two parties.….and to interpret the laws as they were written.
Meet the U.S. Supreme Court Judges

7. Judicial Branch Basics
The Constitution (Article III) provides for:
the federal courts
the state courts
The Supreme Court is the highest court of any system. It oversees the entire judicial system, though the great bulk of cases still begin and end in the state courts 7

8. Jurisdiction The authority of a court to hear
(to try and to decide) a case. 8

9. Types of Jurisdiction
exclusive jurisdiction - cases can only be heard in federal courts.
concurrent jurisdiction - cases may be tried in a federal court or a State court.
original jurisdiction - A court in which a case is first heard
appellate jurisdiction - A court that hears a case on appeal from a lower court 9

10. Supreme Court’s Jurisdiction
MOST of the time, the Supreme Court hears cases on appeal.
SC only has original jurisdiction in:
-cases affecting ambassadors and other diplomats
-cases in which a state is a party.
- Civil liberties and equality
For Example: Kentucky and Indiana are tangled in a dispute over which state should receive the income taxes from the riverboat casinos drifting on their Ohio River border.

11. Jurisdiction – Federal v. State
State Jurisdiction
(most cases start here!)
Federal Jurisdiction
-Federal law
-Treaties with foreign nations
-Bankruptcy
-Admiralty and maritime law
-Foreign diplomats or foreign governments
-Two or more state governments
-The United States government
-Citizens of different states
-A state and a citizen of a different state
-Land grant claims of different states
-State law
-Traffic violations
-Divorce/child custody
-Landlord/tenant disputes
-Most personal injury lawsuits
-Inheritance matters
-Issues about regulation of various professions
-Crimes punishable under both state and federal
-Environmental regulations
-Civil rights claims
-Class-action lawsuits
-Issues involving Constitution
Concurrent Jurisdiction

12. Activity 1: Federal or State
Activity 1: Federal or State? Hold up the green card for “federal” and the yellowlcard for “state”
Cashing a counterfeit paycheck
Shoplifting
Credit Card Fraud
Arson
Tax Fraud
Computer Hacking
Disorderly Conduct
Kidnapping
DUI
Piracy (music, movies, games)
Stealing art, jewelry, gems
Domestic Violence
Prostitution
Serial Murder

13. What’s an Appeal?
If due process is not followed for an individual, the best legal recourse is to appeal to a HIGHER court.
Understand an your appeal IS NOT a new trial.
An appeal is an investigation to see if the trial court made any legal errors in handing its decision. The appeals may base their review only on the materials and evidence used in the trial. If errors are indeed found, the appeals court may overturn the decision and you get a new trial.

14. 14

15. Activity 2 : Appeal-a-mid
Answer questions first. (Questions are on the accompanying handout; write answers on the pyramid)
Cut along the outside lines.
Fold along the inside lines.
Glue or tape the each pyramid flap to its matching pyramid side.

16. Side A 9
US Courts of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
Side B
appeal-a-mid
Answer questions first. (Questions are on the accompanying handout; write answers on the pyramid)
Cut along the outside lines.
Fold along the inside lines.
Glue or tape the each pyramid flap to its matching pyramid side.
12 US Courts of Appeals 8 1
US Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces 2
Flap A 7
Side C 3 4 5 6
Flap C
Flap B

17. appeal-a-mid
Which court in the federal system is the final authority in any case involving any question arising under the Constitution, act of Congress, or a treaty of the US? (p.517)
What do we call the courts that act as “gatekeepers” to relieve the Supreme Court from hearing every case in which due process has been questioned? (p.513)
Most cases heard today start in the ________________. (p.506)
Most federal cases usually start in one of the 94 of these courts: (p.512)
Define “original jurisdiction”
Define “appellate jurisdiction”
7) Which court would send appeals to the “US Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces”? Describe a topic that would be heard in this court. (p.514, p )
8) Name one court that would send appeals to one of the “12 US Courts of Appeals”? Describe a topic that would be heard in this court. (p.514, p )
9) Name one court that would appeal to one of the “US Courts of Appeals for the Federal Circuit”? Describe a topic that would be heard in this court. (p.514, p )
10) Cut out, put your name on, and assemble your appeal-a-mid! (color is optional)

18. Jurisdiction – Federal v. State
Supreme Court
State Courts
Federal Courts
US Courts of Appeals
US District Courts & Special Federal Courts
State Supreme Courts
Intermediate Courts of Appeals
State Trial Courts 18

19. Activity 2: Sheppard v. Maxwell
Review the case of Sheppard v Maxwell and complete the ½ sheet of questions provided. 19 19

20. Sheppard v. Maxwell- Discussion Questions
How many levels of state courts dealt with the Sheppard case? Which one had original jurisdiction?
How many levels of federal courts dealt with the Sheppard case? Which was the court of last resort?
Did the judicial system ensure justice in the Sam Sheppard case? Explain your answer. 20 20

21. Jurisdiction – Civil v. Criminal
Criminal cases refer to acts that Congress has declared a crime.
ex: bank robbery, murder, assault
Usually, crimes that are violent or involve some kind of threat.
Who prosecutes? - government v. individual
Punished by jail, heavy fines, probation, etc. 21

22. Jurisdiction – Civil v. Criminal
Civil cases refer to disputes over nonviolent matters.
ex: contract dispute, bankruptcy, divorce, counterfeiting
Civil law is concerned with rights and responsibilities of people in their dealings with each other..
Who prosecutes does not necessarily include government
Punished/settled through money or injunctions (ex-restraining order) 22

23. A prisoner tries to commit suicide by hanging himself with a sheet out a window. He suffers injuries when the sheet rips, and he falls to the ground. Who’s responsible? 23

24. You get a cup of coffee at the McDonalds drive-thru and accidentally spill it on yourself. You sue because you claim the coffee was too hot and caused a burn. Whose fault? 24

25. Civil Trial Example – Judge Judy
Have any of this man’s constitutional rights been violated? Who makes the best argument in this case?

26. PLC
The video is on share point to show the difference between a civil and criminal trial.

27. Exit Slips:
X1: If due process is not followed for an individual and they receive an unfair trial. What is the next legal option the individual could take?
X2: Compare and Contrast a Civil and Criminal trial?