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Understanding:
Current Understanding: The Judiciary
Students will examine the significance, powers, and functions of the Judiciary as
the government’s interpreters of the Constitution.
Bureaucracy
Schedule
Day I
Article III
Powers of the Courts
Levels of Courts
Article III
Powers of the Courts
District, Appellate, Supreme
The Judicial
System
Day II
Appointment Process
Judicial Philosophy
Activism vs. Restraint
Day III
How it Works
Quiz
Three Levels of Courts:
Appointing
Federal Judges
How the Court
System Works
Judicial
Philosophy
Focus Objectives:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
List and explain three important distinction between the criminal and civil law.
Briefly describe each level of the federal court system. (3 paragraphs total)
Describe in five sentences judicial federalism.
Explain why the judicial nomination process can be so difficult. Minimum six sentences.
List the eight steps to judgment and describe each one.
Describe how the President can influence the Court and describe how Congress can influence the Court.
If Congress does not like a decision made by the Supreme Court what action can they take?
Next Understanding:
Civil Rights and
Liberties
Essential Vocabulary:
Judicial review
Criminal law
Civil law
Prosecutor
Defendant
Plea bargain
Plaintiff
U.S. Attorney General
District courts
Circuit courts of appeals
Supreme Court
Original Jurisdiction
Appellate jurisdiction
Precedent
Writ of habeas corpus
Amicus curiae brief
Writ of certiorari
Stare decisis
Senatorial courtesy
Judicial activism
Judicial restraint
Docket
Opinion of the Court
Dissenting opinion
Concurring opinion