1. Supreme Court Cases -Highest Court in the Nation -All Decisions are Final -Usually Appellate Jurisdiction Only -Only hears about 100-150 of thousands of appeals

2. Court’s Power -Constitution is the Highest Law -Constitution is the Supreme Law when there is a conflict with other laws -Court is responsible for upholding the Constitution Power to REVIEW ANY FEDERAL OR STATE LAW TO SEE IF THE LAW IS IN AGREEMENT WITH THE CONSTITUTION -Judicial Review: Power to REVIEW ANY FEDERAL OR STATE LAW TO SEE IF THE LAW IS IN AGREEMENT WITH THE CONSTITUTION -Limiting the Court’s Power

3. Supreme Court Justices -made up of 9 justices -no official requirements all have been lawyers -appointed by the President w/ Senate approval -appointed to a life term -very important appointment process

4. THE SUPREME COURT 2007 Seated L to R: Anthony Kennedy, John Paul Stevens, Chief Justice John Roberts, Antonin Scalia, and David Souter. Standing L to R: Stephen Breyer, Clarence Thomas, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Samuel Alito Jr.

5. Court at Work -In session from Oct to June/July each year -Each month follows a pattern -1 st 2 weeks the court hears cases, make announcements, and discuss current cases -2 nd 2 weeks the justices are writing opinions, deciding what cases to hear, and researching cases

6. Which Cases? -Justices discuss and must agree on the merits of a case for it to be heard -Only hears certain kinds of cases Petition of appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court -Writ of Certiorari: Petition of appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court -Usually hears just appellate cases

7. Court Decisions -Justices discuss cases with each other -Make one of three decisions Uphold Overturn Remand -Each decision is accompanied with a written opinion explaining the law about the case Majority Opinion Concurrent Opinion Dissenting Opinion