DateDate: November 4, 2010: November 4, 2010

TopicTopic: The Supreme Court: The Supreme Court

AimAim: How does a case find its : How does a case find its way to the Supreme Court?way to the Supreme Court?

Do NowDo Now: Take out question : Take out question sheet from yesterday.sheet from yesterday.

How a Case Reaches the CourtHow a Case Reaches the Court

About 8,000 are appealed to the Supreme About 8,000 are appealed to the Supreme Court each year.Court each year.

Only a few hundred are accepted for Only a few hundred are accepted for decision.decision.

Most cases selected on a “rule of four.”Most cases selected on a “rule of four.”

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How the Court OperatesHow the Court Operates

A.) A.) Oral Arguments PresentedOral Arguments Presented – Justices – Justices consider cases from October to early May.consider cases from October to early May.

B.) B.) BriefsBriefs – written documents that support – written documents that support one side of a case.one side of a case.

C.) C.) The Court in Conference The Court in Conference 1.) The Chief Justice speaks 1.) The Chief Justice speaks

first and then everyone else in order of first and then everyone else in order of seniority. seniority.

2.) Then they debate the case.2.) Then they debate the case.

Opinions of the CourtOpinions of the Court Majority OpinionMajority Opinion it announces the courts it announces the courts

decision in a case and sets out the reasons decision in a case and sets out the reasons for which it is based.for which it is based.

PrecedentsPrecedents examples to be followed in examples to be followed in similar cases as they arise in the lower similar cases as they arise in the lower courts or reach the Supreme Court.courts or reach the Supreme Court.

Concurring OpinionConcurring Opinion adds or emphasizes adds or emphasizes a point that was not made by the majority.a point that was not made by the majority.

Dissenting OpinionDissenting Opinion written by the written by the justices who do not agree with the courts justices who do not agree with the courts majority decision.majority decision.

John Roberts – John Roberts – Chief Justice of the Chief Justice of the Supreme CourtSupreme Court

Justice Samuel AlitoJustice Samuel Alito

Justice Stephen Breyer

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Justice Anthony Kennedy

Justice Antonin Scalia

Justice Elena Kagan

Justice Clarence Thomas

Justice Sonia Sotomayor