American Federal Government

1. American Federal Government Chapter 12: The Judiciary

2. Federal courts can declare acts of Congress or Executive unconstitutional Founders: interpret law, not create policy Parliament does not have this check Strict constructionist approach Apply stated/clear rules Activist approach Interpret general principles Apply personal philosophy Judicial Review

3. http://www.hippocampus.org/course_locator?skinPath=http://www.hippocampus.org/hippocampus.skins/default&course=AP%20Government%20and%20Politics&lesson=30&topic=2&topicTitle=Judicial%20Review%20and%20Constructionhttp://www.hippocampus.org/course_locator?skinPath=http://www.hippocampus.org/hippocampus.skins/default&course=AP%20Government%20and%20Politics&lesson=30&topic=2&topicTitle=Judicial%20Review%20and%20Construction Judicial Review

4. National law is supreme State law must yield Supreme Court interprets Constitution Marbury v. Madison Judicial review McCulloch v. Maryland Supremacy of national law National Supremacy

5. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUfl9-cwJt4 Hearing From The Justices

6. http://www.hippocampus.org/course_locator?course=AP%20US%20History%20I&lesson=22&topic=3&width=800&height=684&topicTitle=John%20Marshall&skinPath=http://www.hippocampus.org/hippocampus.skins/defaulthttp://www.hippocampus.org/course_locator?course=AP%20US%20History%20I&lesson=22&topic=3&width=800&height=684&topicTitle=John%20Marshall&skinPath=http://www.hippocampus.org/hippocampus.skins/default Chief Justice John Marshall & Roger Taney

7. http://www.hippocampus.org/course_locator?skinPath=http://www.hippocampus.org/hippocampus.skins/default&course=AP%20Government%20and%20Politics&lesson=29&topic=3&topicTitle=Warren%20Burgerhttp://www.hippocampus.org/course_locator?skinPath=http://www.hippocampus.org/hippocampus.skins/default&course=AP%20Government%20and%20Politics&lesson=29&topic=3&topicTitle=Warren%20Burger Chief Justice Warren Burger

8. http://www.hippocampus.org/course_locator?skinPath=http://www.hippocampus.org/hippocampus.skins/default&course=AP%20Government%20and%20Politics&lesson=29&topic=2&topicTitle=Earl%20Warrenhttp://www.hippocampus.org/course_locator?skinPath=http://www.hippocampus.org/hippocampus.skins/default&course=AP%20Government%20and%20Politics&lesson=29&topic=2&topicTitle=Earl%20Warren Chief Justice Earl Warren

9. Blacks not citizens of U.S. Missouri Compromise unconstitutional Federal law prohibiting slavery in north Dred Scott Case

10. Protecting private property from state action Inconsistent Limited rights to blacks Segregation upheld Exclusion from voting Civil War - New Deal Era

11. Out of the economic regulation business Switch to supporting New Deal Political liberties and civil rights 1937 - 1974

12. President nominates; Senate confirms Senatorial courtesy - if senator from candidate's state objects Lower court - senator gives approval Filibuster - at least 60 votes to break Rejection Hostility to civil rights Personal finances Poor record Legal philosophy Appointments

13. http://www.hippocampus.org/course_locator?skinPath=http://www.hippocampus.org/hippocampus.skins/default&course=AP%20Government%20and%20Politics&lesson=31&topic=2&topicTitle=The%20Confirmation%20Processhttp://www.hippocampus.org/course_locator?skinPath=http://www.hippocampus.org/hippocampus.skins/default&course=AP%20Government%20and%20Politics&lesson=31&topic=2&topicTitle=The%20Confirmation%20Process Confirmation Process

14. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFkVwvlpXUk&feature=related Elena Kagen Opening Statement

15. Supreme Court in Constitution All other federal courts: created by Congress Constitutional Court Judicial powers from Article 3 Judges can't be fired District courts (lowest) Court of appeals Legislative Court Special purpose Fixed term of office Federal Courts

16. Federal question cases Under Constitution, U.S. laws, treaties Diversity cases Citizens of different states Over $75,000 Criminal cases  State and federal law, choice Federal regulatory agency Bankruptcy State governments Federal Court Jurisdiction

17. Legal concept: who can bring a suit Controversy Harm Not just a taxpayer Sovereign immunity Suit allowed against govt many times if contract dispute or negligence Standing

18. Case brought on behalf of group who were harmed Brown v. Board of Education Make national policy through Courts instead of Congress If seeking money damages, each affected person has to be notified Easier in state court Class Action Suit

19. Rejects 95% requests In forma pauperis Interest groups may pay/represent Writ of certiorari At least 4 members Decision involves "substantial federal question" Interpretation of federal law or Constitution Making It To The Supreme Court

20. Step 1: Writ of certiorari granted Step 2: Lawyers present briefs Summarize lower court decision Argue for their side Other decisions that fit Amicus curiae brief - interested party not directly involved Supreme Court In Action

21. Step 3: Justices argue & vote Guided by Chief Justice Debate and make arguments Vote - must be majority If tie, lower court decision stands Step 4: Written opinion Unanimous Majority Concurring Dissenting Supreme Court In Action

22. Change national policy outside Congress Change precedent Handle once-legislative matters Remedies can be sweeping Judicial Power

23. Congress can change composition through confirmation Impeach judges Change number of judges Undo Court decision by amending Constitution Repass law declared unconstitutional Congress decides jurisdiction of lower courts Public opinion Decisions, not the institution Checks on Judicial Power

24. Group 1: What are the four types of power judges have? How do they work within the system of government and laws?     Group 2: Is judicial activism good or bad? Why? Group 3: What are the checks on judicial power? Are they effective? Group 4: What is the process to get to the Supreme Court? What kinds of cases normally make it there? What happens to a case once it's there? Group Discussion