Judicial Branch

Chapters 11 & 12

• 2 overriding concepts to keep in mind about the judicial system:– 1.– 2.

• State Court system:• Federal Court system:• Roles of the Court

systems:– Resolve disputes– Set precedent– Interpret law• Strict Constructionism• Loose Constructionism

Organization of Federal Court System

• Step 1: Trial Courts– Original jurisdiction– Divided into regions/districts– Use juries

• Step 2: Courts of Appeals (Circuit Courts)– Appellate jurisdiction

• Look at only issues of law• Determine cases by use of oral

arguments & briefs

– 13 District Courts– No juries– Each court typically has between 3-5

judges• Step 3: Supreme Court

– Appellate jurisdiction

Supreme Court

• 9 justices– 1 Chief Justice– Nominated by

President/approved by Senate– Serve life term

• Current Chief Justice: John Roberts

• Purpose of S.C.: Constitutional arguments, appeals court, cases involving diplomats, cases btw states or states & federal gov’t

Process of S.C. case

1. Original trial & appeal process—must usually go through first 2 steps

2. Writ of certiorari (4 of 9 justices needed)3. Briefs submitted4. Amicus Curiae briefs submitted5. 30 minutes oral arguments6. Conference/vote amongst justices7. Decisions are announced and typed

• Majority opinion• Concurring opinion• Dissenting opinion

• Stare Decisis

Major Supreme Court Cases

• GOES AGAINST CONCEPT OF “STARE DECISIS”• Scott v. Sandford• Plessy v. Ferguson• Brown v. Board of Educ. (Topeka, KS)

• Miller v. California (1973)– Miller Test

• Average person is “uneasy” with content• Shows excretory or sexual conduct• Lacks literary, artistic, political, or scientific value

• Schenck v. United States (1919)• Texas v. Johnson (1989)• New York Times v. Sullivan (1964)– Libel– Actual malice

• Roe v. Wade (1973)—Norma McCorvey• Griswold v. Connecticut (1965)—Estelle

Griswold• Lawrence v. Texas (2002)

• Miranda v. Arizona (1966)– Ernesto Miranda arrested for rape– Police forced a confession– Miranda was unaware of right to remain silent &

right to an attorney• Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)– Clarence Gideon arrested for petty larceny in FL– Denied court-appointed lawyer– Created the “Public Defender” system

Types of Law

• Common Law• Natural Law• Constitutional Law• Civil Law• Criminal Law– Felony– Misdemeanor

Trial Process

1. Arrest/Miranda2. Arraignment– Bond/bail is set– Notified of charges– Enter a plea (guilty, not guilty, no contest)

3. Indictment– Grand Jury

4. Jury selection– Voir dire– Peremptory Challenge

5. Trial– Opening statements– Prosecution’s case

• Subpoena

– Defense’s case• Jury nullification

– Redirect– Closing arguments

6. Verdict– Sequester– Hung jury—mistrial– Plea bargain

7. Sentencing– Suspended sentence– Probation– Imprisonment• 4 purposes of prison:

1. 2. 3. 4.

– Capital punishment