1. DO NOW
• Use class notes to fill in 7.2 worksheet.

2. Agenda
1. Do Now- Fill out 7.2 Worksheet using the notes
we made as a class yesterday.
2. Review
3. Supreme Court Notes
4. Supreme Court Case Activity

3. Competencies/ Objectives
• Competencies: Students will demonstrate and
understand the organization of the American Court
System.
• SWBAT identify the powers of the Supreme Court.
• SWBAT recognize the importance of Supreme
Court decisions.
• SWBAT teach classmates about a Supreme Court
cases and create a political cartoon on their case.

4. Power of Judicial Review
• Judicial review- allows supreme courts to decide
whether a law or presidential action is in
agreement with Constitution.
• Ultimate authority to make decisions.
• If the court decide law conflicts with constitution is
becomes unconstitutional.
• Established by John Marshal(1801-1835)l in 1803.

5. Choosing Cases
• More than 7,000 cases are filed each year.
• Court usually hear 130 to 150 of those cases.
• 4 of the 9 must vote to hear a case.
• If they choose not to hear a trial the lower courts
decision is upheld.
• Remand- sent back to lower courts for a new
trial.

6. Hearing and Deciding Cases
• Oral arguments
• Each lawyer has 30 minutes to present argument then
they read written arguments on the case.
• Justices hold private meeting and simple majority wins.
• Opinion- explains reason that led to the decision
• Concurring opinion-different explanation for
agreeing
• Dissenting opinion- reasons a justice thinks
decision is wrong

7. Supreme Court Justices
• 9 justices since 1869
• 1 chief justice, 8 associate justices
• Appointed for life by president with Senate
approval.
• Can only be removed by impeachment.
• No special requirements to be Supreme Court
justice.

8. Checking the Courts
Power
• President appoints justices with Senate approval
• Congress can write a better law if previous law is
declared unconstitutional
• Congress can amend the constitution (16th
amendment and income tax)