Landmark Cases
The case that made the claim "Separate but Equal"
Plessy v Ferguson
Number of Justices on Supreme Court
9
Check on Legislative Branch
Judicial Review
Highest Court in the land
Supreme Court
The authority to hear and decide on a case
Jurisdiction
The case that declared segregation unconstitutional and reversed "Separate but Equal"
Brown v Board of Education
Presiding officer of the Supreme Court and highest ranking member in the Judicial Branch. Only one in the Supreme Court
Chief Justice
How are SC Justices hired?
Nominated by President, Approved by Senate
The inferior courts are
Trial and Appellate Courts
Power to interpret the law
Judicial Power
This case says that the President isn't above the law.
U.S. v Nixon
Term of SC Justices
Till death or retirement or impeachment
Acts as the judge in impeachment trials
Chief Justice
Inferior Courts created by
Congress
The right of a convicted person to ask a higher court to review his or her case
Appeal
Established Judicial Review
Marbury v Madison
Types of Trials
Civil (involving disputes/disagreements), Criminal (involving crimes)
SC Justices can be impeached by
Legislative Branch
Usually hears cases for the first time; where a case goes when it is appealed
Trial Courts; Court of Appeals
A written statement made by a judge
Opinion
*DOUBLE JEOPARDY* This case says that evidence gained illegally cannot be used in court
Mapp v Ohio
*DOUBLE JEOPARDY* Steps in a trial
1. Selection of Jury
2. Opening Statements
3. Witness Testimony & Evidence Presented
4. Closing Arguments
5. Jury Instructions
6. Deliberation - Jury Discussion
7. Verdict Reached
Judicial Activism & Judicial Restraint
Activism - asserts that judicial review allows the courts to overturn current constitutional and case precedent or invalidate legislative or executive acts.
Restraint - asserts that judicial review should be constrained to decisions that adhere to current constitutional and case precedent.
The Supreme Court acts as a trial court where it hears cases for the first time only when:
in cases involving foreign ambassadors, in cases involving states as a party
Authority to hear cases for the first time
Original Jurisdiction