The Judiciary
Constitutional Foundations Structure of the Courts Term of Office for Judges Powers of the Federal Courts Federal v. State Jurisdiction Original v. appellate jurisdiction
Modern Court Structure US District Courts (94) US Appellate Courts (13) US Supreme Court (1) Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLb7r0YRcJQ
The US Constitutional Courts
The US Judicial Circuits
Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court
Setting the Supreme Court Docket 3 Sources of Cases Factors in choosing to grant “cert”: Unsettled law Conflicting lower court opinions Shifting composition of the Court Conference and the “Rule of Four”
Setting the Agenda
Types of Cases in the Sup. Ct.
Hearing Cases Submitting Briefs Oral Arguments Conference Amicus Curiae briefs Oral Arguments Conference
Making Decisions
Judicial Review Review Video: :41-3:30
Judicial Interpretation Interpretation of the Constitution strict Interpretation loose interpretation Role of Judges judicial restraint judicial activism
Example of Oral Argument Obergefell v. Hodges https://www.oyez.org/cases/2014/14-556 Mary Bonauto,oral argument part I – 5:55-Bryer comment @11 min. Judicial Activism v. Judicial Restraint video: start at 2:33
Deciding Cases Writing Opinions Implementation of the Decision Majority Opinion Concurring Opinion Dissenting Opinion Implementation of the Decision Recent Court Eras – review game
Selection of Judges Presidential Nomination Process Criteria Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLAaAZZNNiw Senate Confirmation Senatorial Courtesy Hearings and Confirmation Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRlznliyC8g Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-qUfg6TjG8
Unsuccessful Nominations
The Current Supreme Court
Courts and Democracy Membership of the Federal Courts Influence of Public Opinions (or lack thereof). Exercise of Judicial Review
Constraints on Judicial Power Adversarial system Cases and controversies Justiciability Stare Decisis Checks from President Checks from Congress