The Supreme Court

1. The Supreme Court

3. Work of the Federal Courts • Remember: 97% of cases are handled by state courts • Federal Court Jurisdiction • Federal Question • Federal statute or regulation • U.S. Constitution • Diversity Jurisdiction

4. Supreme Court • Article III • Appointment • Life Tenure • Composition • Associate Justices • Chief Justice • Law Clerks

5. Current Court

6. Current Court

7. Supreme Court’s Work • First Monday in October – June/July • Original Jurisdiction v. Appellate Jurisdiction • Cert Petitions • “Rule of Four”

8. Certiorari Petitions

9. Deciding on the Merits • Information • Litigant Briefs • “Record” • Amicus Briefs • Oral Argument • 30 minutes per side • Conference Votes

10. Opinions • Opinion of the Court • Majority • Plurality • Dissenting Opinions • Concurring Opinions

11. Opinions • Describe History of Case • Describe “Precedent” • Stare decisis • Reason by analogy • Holding • Becomes precedent • Weight depends on majority v. plurality

12. What Matters • Not Just Who Wins / Who Loses • REASONING