1. UNIT #4 The Judicial Branch CHAPTER #12 The Supreme Court at Work LESSON #1 How the Court Process Works

2. -The Supreme Court ’ s (S.C.) term begins in October and runs until May -The Supreme Court acts primarily as a court of appeals, deciding to uphold or reverse a lower court ’ s decision The Supreme Court ’ s Weekly Schedule Page 1 The Court ’ s Work UNIT #4 The Judicial Branch CHAPTER #12 The Supreme Court at Work LESSON #1 How the Court Process Works DayTask Mon Hear Oral Arguments Tues Hear Oral Arguments Wed AM-Hear Oral Arguments PM-Meet to discuss Cases Thurs Sometimes Hear Oral Arguments Fri PM-Meet to discuss Cases

3. -The remainder of their time, justices: 1.Work on decisions 2.Meet with their law clerks Getting to the Supreme Court -About 10,000 requests for review are sent to the S.C. each year, 100 are heard -Four justices must agree to take the case -If the Supreme Court refuses to hear a case, the lower court ’ s decision is final Cases get to the S.C. because they: Raise a key constitutional question Raise a key legal question Has diversity (involves interstate dispute) Page 2 (continued) UNIT #4 The Judicial Branch CHAPTER #12 The Supreme Court at Work LESSON #1 How the Court Process Works

4. -Once a S.C. case is scheduled, lawyers from each side file briefs -Briefs include facts and legal precedent -Amicus Curiae briefs can also be filed -Lawyers give 30 minute oral arguments summarizing the case ’ s main legal points, fielding questions from justices -Justices then discuss, share their opinions and vote in a private conference -After, opinions are written; majority (agree), dissenting (disagree) and concurring (agree, but for a different reason) -Opinions are published and become legal precedent Page 3 UNIT #4 The Judicial Branch CHAPTER #12 The Supreme Court at Work LESSON #1 How the Court Process Works The Decision-Making Process

5. Page 4 UNIT #4 The Judicial Branch CHAPTER #12 The Supreme Court at Work LESSON #1 How the Court Process Works -Study the chart on page 220!