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US Court System

US Court System. Which branch of government decides law through rulings? Why are there so many levels & types of courts? Which court is the highest?. The Supreme Court. The Real Highest Court in the Land. Justices joke that they are not the highest court

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US Court System

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  1. US Court System • Which branch of government decides law through rulings? • Why are there so many levels & types of courts? • Which court is the highest?

  2. The Supreme Court

  3. The Real Highest Court in the Land • Justices joke that they are not the highest court • Above their court room is a basketball court

  4. More Details • How many justices are on the Supreme Court • Initially 6 and as high as 10 • 9 since 1869 • How many cases does the Supreme Court rule on? • 7,500 cases are sent to the Supreme Court • They hear 80 to 100 • What cases are heard by the Supreme Court? • Original Jurisdiction if involves ambassadors, public ministers, admiralty and maritime, between 2 or more states, between a state and Citizens of another state, US vs. another country citizen • Most often – Appellate Jurisdiction

  5. More Details Continued • How long is their term? Why? • Life • How much do they make? • $208,100 per year as of 2008 • Chief Justice gets $217,400 • What qualifications do you need to be a justice? • No official qualifications, most have law backgrounds

  6. Chief Justice John G. Roberts • Born: 1955 in New York • 56 years old • Appointed by: George W. Bush • Republican • 78-22 Appointment Vote in 2005 • Political Leanings: • Conservative • Judge, Lawyer, Professor, more

  7. Justice Antonin Scalia • Born: 1936 in Trenton, New Jersey • 75 years old • Appointed by: Reagan • Republican • 98-0 Appointment Vote in 1986 • Political Leanings: • Conservative • Assistant Attorney General , Professor, Lawyer, more

  8. Justice Anthony Kennedy • Born: 1936 in Sacramento, California • 75 years old • Appointed by: Reagan • Republican • 97-0 Appointment Vote in 1988 • Political Leanings: • Conservative who sometimes votes liberal • Professor, Lawyer, Judge,

  9. Justice Clarence Thomas • Born: 1948 in Pin Point, Georgia • 63 years old • Appointed by: G.H.W Bush • Republican • 52-48 Appointment Vote in 1991 • Political Leanings: • Conservative • Chairman of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Legislative Assistant for Senator, Judge, Attorney General, more

  10. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg • Born: 1933 in Brooklyn, New York • 78 years old • Appointed by: Clinton • Democrat • 96-3 Appointment Vote in 1993 • Political Leanings: • Liberal • Judge, Professor, Lawyer, more

  11. Justice Stephen Breyer • Born: 1938 in San Francisco, California • 73 years old • Appointed by: Clinton • Democrat • 87-9 Appointment Vote in 1994 • Political Leanings: • Liberal • Judge, Professor, more

  12. Justice Samuel Alito • Born: 1950 in Trenton, New Jersey • 61 years old • Appointed by: G.W. Bush • Republican • 58-42 Appointment Vote in 2006 • Political Leanings: • Conservative • Judge, Professor, more

  13. Justice Sonia Sotomayor • Born: 1954 in The Bronx, New York • 57 years old • Appointed by: Obama • Democrat • 68-31 Appointment Vote in 2009 • Political Leanings: • Liberal • Judge, Lawyer, more

  14. Justice Elena Kagan • Born: 1960 in New York, New York • 51 years old • Appointed by: Obama • Democrat • 63-37 Appointment Vote in Aug 2010 • Political Leanings: • Unproven • Law Clerk for Justices, Lawyer, professor, more

  15. Summary • 3 Liberal • 4 Conservative • 1 Conservative that sometimes votes Liberal • 1 Unproven, looks to be Liberal • 4 over 70 • What could happen in the next few years? • What would that do to the court?

  16. Confirmation Process • President Nominates • Senate approves or disapproves through Confirmation Hearing • Judiciary Committee gives opening statement • Nominee gives opening statement • 2 rounds of questions where each member of the Judiciary Committee can ask questions • Can keep asking questions if they wish

  17. Confirmation Continued • Committee hears from witnesses in favor and opposition of nominee • Committee reports findings to Senate and gives Recommendation • Senators vote to confirm • Majority must be present and voting • Confirmed = Supreme Court Justice • Approximately 80% of nominees are confirmed

  18. Assignment • You and A partner (2 People) will complete research on a Landmark Supreme Court Case and present your findings to the class. You need a visual of some kind (PowerPoint, printout, etc.)

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