1. SIT IN GROUPS… EACH GROUP MUST HAVE… 1.4 to 5 people 2.Person taller than 5’10’’ 3.Person with blonde or red hair (non brunette; doesn’t have to be natural) 4.Athlete or cheerleader or student council member or club member 5.Bilingual member

2. INTRODUCTION TO YOUR SUPREME COURT PROJECT

3. Nation or State? In the US who is reasonable for deciding the following… Marriage Age? Voting Age? Legal Working Age? What about other countries?

4. At What Age is Someone Considered an Adult in the World? LEGAL WORKING AGE …no laws at all, as in countries like Papua New Guinea, Yemen and Liberia. Other countries set minimum age requirements for child labor…Syria, Paraguay, or Bangladesh, where minimum age is 12. Most countries set minimum age at 15-16 years old. In a few cases, the minimum age may be 14. This compares to US figures where minimum age ranges from 15-16…

5. MARRIAGE AGE In some countries there is no minimum age. HOWEVER, most countries set the minimum at 18. For example, in many African countries, such as Niger, Mozambique, and Mali, over 50% of girls are married prior to turning 18. In Yemen, 64% of girls are married before 18, and in Bangladesh, 81% of girls marry before 18!

6. VOTING AGE Austria and Germany allow 16 year olds to vote in municipal elections. In Italy, however, one cannot vote to elect a senator, unless one is 25. Liechtenstein voters must wait until they are 30 to vote.

7. HERE WE GO! SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK: 1.Monday—intro to Supreme Court Project 2.Tuesday (1, 2, 3)/ Wednesday (4, 5, 6)—work time and completion of Supreme Court Projects 3.Thursday (1, 2, 3)—4 th Amendment Activity 4.Friday— – 1, 2, 3: Review of the Supreme Court (quiz, game, essay, we will see) – 4, 5, 6: 4 th Amendment Activity

8. Today’s Agenda… 1.Quick Notes (Have each member write down some notes for your group. You need this info in your projects.) 2.Introduction of the project. 3.Analyze the handouts for more info. 4.Go through the class text for other info. 5.Work Time Tomorrow and Wednesday (Reminder it is AIMS week!) – If you are going to miss class on Tuesday or Wednesday then you are on your own for this assignment. – All work for the groups will be completed in class.

9. 2 to 3 sentences about the “Federal Courts” “The Constitution established the Supreme Court, which in turn gave Congress the power to create “inferior” (lower) courts. This is another example of the existence of checks and balances and separation of powers in our government.”

10. The National Judiciary

11. SUPREME COURT 12 US COURT OF APPEALS 94 DISTRICT COURTS INFERIOR COURTS

12. SUPREME COURT 9 Justices, Original and Appellate Jurisdiction 12 US COURT OF APPEALS Helped lessen the Supreme Court docket; Appellate; meet as 3 judges or “en banc” (All the judges on one panel) 94 DISTRICT COURTS 1 or 3 judge panels; original jurisdiction; Most cases are final at this level

13. Jurisdiction Jurisdiction (Defined and Types) jurisdiction Constitutional courts have jurisdiction (authority to hear a case) over most federal courts Exclusive Jurisdiction—cases that can only be heard in federal court Concurrent Jurisdiction—cases that may be heard in a state or federal court Original Jurisdiction—court in which the case was first heard Appellate Jurisdiction—court that hears a case on appeal from a lower court According to Art. 3, Sec. 2 of the Constitution, the Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over cases: --affecting ambassadors and other public ministers and consuls --disputes between the states

14. How do Cases Reach the Supreme Court? Original Jurisdiction (2 cases) – A case involves a State – A case that affects ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls 8,000 cases sent to the Supreme Court each year Fewer than 100 cases are heard each year 4 of the 9 justices must agree to hear the case Most times they agree with the ruling of the lower court or they send it back to the lower court with new information to consider

15. How the Court Operates? Oral Arguments: hear 30 minute oral arguments in several cases over 2 weeks, then they recess to consider those cases Briefs: written documents in support of one side; “amicus curae” (friends of the court)—briefs written by people not actually involved in the case Solicitor General (Federal Gov’s chief lawyer)—represents the US in all cases and decides which cases the government should ask the Supreme Court to review and the position the US should take Donald Verrilli (46 th Solicitor General)

16. Court in Conference In Conference: – Chief Justice presides; speaks first and gives opinion – Speaking order goes in seniority – Justices give their opinion and are polled then they debate the case – 2/3 of Supreme Court cases are divided

17. Opinions – Majority Opinions— – Majority Opinions—Opinion of the Court, sets out the reasoning and basis for their opinion Precedents Precedents—examples to be followed by lower courts – Concurring Opinions – Concurring Opinions—one or more justices that agree with the opinion may write their own opinion (emphasis or not mentioned in the main opinion) – Dissenting Opinions – Dissenting Opinions—one or more justices may write an opinion because they disagree with the courts opinion

18. YOUR ASSIGNMENT In groups of 3 to 4 (not 5 or 6). Create a Federal Court System (Focusing on the Supreme Court.) Poster. Must include the following: – 1 acrostic poem (SUPREME COURT) – 2 graphic organizers/ other diagrams (your choice) – 5 key words defined (you decide) – 5 most significant (landmark) cases in your opinion – 1 political cartoon (must be drawn) – Who is on the Supreme Court? Which President appointed them? (9 Justices total) – How do they select a case?