U.S. Supreme Court Worksheet
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U.S. Supreme Court Worksheet
1. How was the Supreme Court formed? The formation of the Supreme Court of the United States is outlined in Article III of the U.S. Constitution. The Court was established as part of the judicial branch of the federal government. Here is a summary of how it was formed: Constitutional Convention: During the Constitutional Convention held in
Philadelphia in 1787, delegates discussed the need for a federal judiciary to balance the power between the states and the national government. Article III: The final draft of the U.S. Constitution, adopted by the Convention, included Article III, which established the judicial branch, outlined the powers of the Supreme Court, and granted Congress the authority to create additional lower federal courts. Judiciary Act of 1789: In the same year the Constitution was ratified, the
U.S. Congress passed the Judiciary Act of 1789, which officially created the Supreme Court. This act established the Court as a tribunal consisting of six justices, including one Chief Justice. Justinian Model: The Judiciary Act of 1789 followed a model inspired by the Justinian Code, which had a three-tiered court system. The Supreme Court acted as the highest appellate court, with the ability to review decisions made
in lower federal and state courts. This system was founded on the principle of judicial review. Increasing Number of Justices: The Judiciary Act allowed for the appointment of six justices; however, in 1801, Congress reduced the number to five. It was later increased to six again in 1807 and then up to seven in 1837. In 1863, the number increased to
nine, where it has remained since. Over time, the role and jurisdiction of the Supreme Court have evolved through landmark cases and interpretations of the Constitution. The Court has become the final arbiter on constitutional questions and plays a crucial role in
interpreting the law, ensuring its compliance with the Constitution, and shaping the legal landscape of the United States.
2. What powers are granted to the Supreme Court? The Supreme Court of the United States is granted several powers under the U.S. Constitution. Here are some of the key powers granted to the Supreme Court: Judicial Review: The Supreme Court has the power of judicial review, which means it can review laws, executive actions, and lower court decisions to determine their constitutionality. This power was established in the landmark case of Marbury v. Madison in 1803.2. Interpreting the Constitution: The Court has the authority to interpret the U.S. Constitution. Its interpretations shape the understanding of constitutional rights, principles, and limitations. The Court's decisions have a significant impact on the legal interpretation and application of the Constitution in various contexts.3. Appellate Jurisdiction: The Supreme Court serves primarily as an appellate court, meaning it hears cases on appeal from lower federal courts and state courts when a federal question is involved. The Court's decisions set legal precedents that must be followed in similar cases throughout the country.4. Resolving Disputes: The Court has the power to resolve disputes between states, between the federal government and states, and between different branches of the federal government. It helps maintain a balance of power and ensures the proper functioning of the federal system.5. Nomination and Confirmation: The Supreme Court plays a critical role in the nomination and confirmation process of federal judges, including its own members. The President nominates individuals to serve as justices, and they must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.6. Rulemaking: The Supreme Court has the power to establish rules and procedures for federal courts. These rules govern various aspects of the judicial process, such as filing procedures, evidence
presentation, and scheduling.7. Writing Opinions: The Court issues written opinions explaining its decisions. These opinions serve as authoritative interpretations of the law and set legal precedents for future cases. The powers of the Supreme Court contribute to its central role in the American judicial system and the checks and balances among
the three branches.
3. How does someone get appointed to the Supreme Court? The process for appointing someone to the Supreme Court of the United States involves several steps. Here is an overview of the process Nomination: When a vacancy arises on the Supreme Court the President of the United States has the authority to nominate an individual to fill the vacancy. The President typically considers various factors, including the nominee's qualifications, experience, ideology, and potential impact on the Court. Senate Judiciary Committee: Once the President committee holds confirmation hearings where the nominee is questioned by the committee members on various issues. Committee Vote: After the confirmation hearings, the Senate Judiciary Committee votes on whether to recommend the nominee to the full Senate. The committee can choose to give a favorable, unfavorable, or no recommendation. A majority vote is required to send the nomination to the full Senate. Full Senate Vote: The nomination then proceeds to the full Senate, where all 100 senators have the opportunity to debate and vote on the nominee. The Senate typically conducts floor debates, allowing senators to express their views before the final vote takes place. Confirmation Vote: A simple majority of the Senate is required to confirm a nominee to the Supreme Court. If the nominee receives the necessary votes, they are confirmed and officially appointed as a Supreme Court justice. If the nominee fails to secure enough votes, the nomination is rejected. It is important to note that
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the process can vary, and political considerations and dynamics can influence the outcome. Additionally, the timing and length of the confirmation process can vary greatly, ranging from a few weeks to several months. The appointment of a Supreme Court justice is considered a significant decision, as it has long-lasting implications for the interpretation of the law and the shaping of the Court's jurisprudence.
4. What are the roles and responsibilities of the Supreme Court? The Supreme Court has vital roles and responsibilities in the legal and judicial system of a country, such as the United States. Here are some key roles and responsibilities of the Supreme Court: Interpreting the Constitution: One of the primary functions of the Supreme Court is to interpret the Constitution. It determines the constitutionality of laws, executive actions, and government policies, ensuring they align with the principles and provisions of the Constitution.2. Resolving Legal Disputes: The Court serves as the highest appellate court, meaning it hears and determines appeals from lower federal and state courts. Parties that believe their rights have been violated, or their cases have been wrongly decided by lower courts, can petition the Supreme Court for review.3. Establishing Precedents: Through its decisions, the Supreme Court establishes legal precedents that guide future rulings in lower courts. These precedents shape and define the interpretation and application of laws, ensuring consistency and predictability throughout the legal system.4. Safeguarding Individual Rights: The Court protects individual rights by examining cases involving civil liberties and civil rights. It ensures that laws and government actions do not infringe upon or violate basic constitutional rights, such as free speech, freedom of religion, and protection against unreasonable search and seizure.5. Adjudicating
Federal Disputes: The Supreme Court serves as a mediator in cases where disputes arise between different states or between states and the federal government. It resolves conflicts related to constitutional interpretation or areas of law that involve federal interests.6. Providing Judicial Review: The Supreme Court possesses the power of judicial review, allowing it to review the constitutionality of laws passed by Congress or actions taken by the executive branch. Through this power, the Court can strike down laws or executive actions that violate the Constitution. It’s important to note that the specifics of roles and responsibilities may vary based on the country's legal system and its Constitution. The duties and powers of the Supreme Court can also evolve over time as societal and legal challenges arise.
5. How does the Supreme Court interact with the other 2 U.S. government branches? Consider the concept of checks and balances.
he Supreme Court interacts with the other two branches of the U.S. government, the legislative branch (Congress) and the executive branch (President), in a variety of ways. Here are some of the key interactions:1. Judicial Review: The Supreme Court exercises its power of judicial review to review the constitutionality of laws passed by Congress and actions taken by the executive branch. If the court finds a law or action unconstitutional, it can strike it down, nullifying its effect.2. Interpreting Laws: The Supreme Court plays a crucial role in interpreting and clarifying the meaning of laws passed by Congress. Its rulings provide guidance on how laws should be applied in specific cases, which affects the implementation and enforcement of legislation.3. Appellate Jurisdiction from Lower Courts: The Supreme Court acts as the highest appellate court, hearing appeals from lower
federal and state courts. This interaction allows the Court to review decisions made by lower court judges and ensure uniformity in the interpretation and application of laws.4. Nomination and Confirmation Process: The President is responsible for nominating individuals to serve
as Supreme Court justices, and the appointments are subject to confirmation by the Senate. This process allows interaction between the
executive and legislative branches in shaping the composition of the Court.5. Implementing Court Orders: The executive branch, through law
enforcement agencies and executive agencies, is responsible for implementing and enforcing the Court's decisions. It is the duty of the executive branch to carry out the orders of the Court, such as executing a judgment or enforcing a legal remedy.6. Checks and Balances: The Supreme Court, as a separate and independent branch of government, acts as a check on the other two branches. Its power to strike down laws or executive actions it deems unconstitutional serves as a check on
potential abuses of power by Congress or the President. These interactions highlight the system of checks and balances that the U.S. government has in place to ensure the separation of powers and the protection of individual rights. It allows for a system of accountability and helps maintain the balance of power among the branches.
Part II:
Research the following Supreme Court cases:
Brown v. Board of Education
Roe v. Wade
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United States v. Nixon
1. What was the case about? The Brown v. Board of Education case was a landmark United States Supreme Court case that addressed the issue of racial segregation in public schools. The case specifically dealt with the segregation of African American students in public schools based on
the doctrine of "separate but equal." In 1954, the Supreme Court unanimously held that racial segregation in public schools violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The Court declared that separate educational facilities for Black and white students were inherently unequal and, therefore, unconstitutional. The case originated from a lawsuit filed by thirteen parents on behalf of their twenty children against the Board of Education in Topeka, Kansas. The plaintiffs argued that segregated public schools denied Black students’ equal educational opportunities as compared to white students. They challenged the "separate but equal" doctrine established by the previous Supreme Court decision Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896, which allowed for racial segregation as long as the facilities were equal. The Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education overturned the Plessy v. Ferguson ruling and set a new precedent. It marked a significant step in the Civil Rights Movement, prompting desegregation efforts in schools and ultimately challenging racial segregation in various areas of public life. The Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education is widely regarded as a milestone in shaping the legal landscape of racial equality in the United States and has had a profound and lasting impact on education and civil
rights in the country. Roe v. Wade The Roe v. Wade case, decided by the
Supreme Court in 1973, centered around the issue of abortion rights. The case involved a woman named Jane Roe (a pseudonym for Norma McCorvey) who wanted to have an abortion in the state of Texas but was unable to do so legally. At the time, Texas law prohibited abortion except to save the life of the mother. Roe challenged this law, arguing that it violated her constitutional rights to privacy. The Supreme Court ultimately held that a woman has a right to have an abortion under the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, which encompasses
a right to privacy. The decision established a framework that balanced a woman's right to choose whether to have an abortion against the state's interest in regulating abortions. This landmark ruling had a significant impact on reproductive rights in the United States, legalizing abortion nationwide and establishing a precedent for future cases related to abortion access. United States v. Nixon
The United States v. Nixon case, decided by the US Supreme Court in 1974, was about President Richard Nixon's claim of executive privilege during the Watergate scandal. The Court was tasked with determining whether Nixon had the authority to withhold tapes and documents from a subpoena issued by the special prosecutor investigating the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters. In a unanimous decision, the Court ruled that executive privilege is not absolute and ordered Nixon to release thetapes. This decision established the principle that the President's claim of executive privilege must yield to the interests of the criminal justice system and the need for evidence in a criminal investigation. Ultimately, the case led to Nixon's resignation.
2. What did the Supreme Court decide?
In the landmark case of Brown v. Board of Education, the Supreme Court decided that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, as it violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. This decision, made in 1954, played a crucial role in ending legal segregation in the United States.
Roe v. WadeIn Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decided that a woman has a constitutional right, under the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, to choose to have an abortion. The Court ruled that this right is protected by a woman's right to privacy. However,
the Court also recognized that the right to choose an abortion is not absolute and must be balanced against the state's interest in regulating abortions. The ruling established a framework that divides pregnancy into three trimesters, with different levels of state regulation allowed at each stage. The Court held that during the first trimester, the decision to have an abortion must be left to the pregnant woman and her doctor. In the second trimester, the state has an interest in protecting the woman's health and can regulate the procedure to some extent. In the third trimester, when the fetus is considered viable, the state has an
interest in protecting potential life and can prohibit abortions except when necessary to protect the woman's life or health. Overall, the decision in Roe v. Wade legalized abortion nationwide and set the precedent for subsequent cases involving abortion rights.
United States v. Nixon
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In the United States v. Nixon case, the Supreme Court unanimously decided that President Richard Nixon had to hand over the White House tapes and documents, rejecting his claim of executive privilege. The Court held that the President's need for confidentiality must be balanced against the compelling interest of the judicial system in obtaining relevant evidence for a criminal investigation. This decision played a pivotal role in the Watergate scandal, leading to Nixon's resignation.
ow did that decision affect American society?The decision in Brown v. Board of Education had a profound impact on American society. It marked amajor milestone in the civil rights movement and contributed to the dismantling of racial segregation in public places across the country. By ruling that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, the Supreme Court sent a powerful message that separate facilities were inherently unequal. This decision paved the way for the desegregation of schools and opened educational opportunities for African American students. It also ignited a broader push for civil rights, inspiring future generations tofight against discriminatory practices and work towards creating a more inclusive society. Nonetheless, the full implementation of desegregation took time and faced significant resistance in some communities, highlighting the ongoing challenges of achieving racial equality in America.Roe v. WadeThe Roe v. Wade decision, made by the US Supreme Court in 1973, legalized abortion nationwide. It had a significant impact on American society by establishing a woman's constitutional right to choose to have an abortion. This decision sparked ongoing debates and activism surrounding reproductive rights, women's autonomy, and the role of government in personal decisions. It has shaped public
discourse, policy discussions, and legal battles concerning abortion rights in the United States. United States v. Nixon
The United States v. Nixon decision had a significant impact on American society. In this landmark case in 1974, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that President Richard Nixon had to provide the Watergate tapes as evidence in a criminal trial. This decision upheld the principle of executive privilege but also set limits on its scope. The decision played a crucial role in reinforcing the idea that no one, including the President, is above the law. It strengthened the checks and balances system and ensured transparency and accountability in government. The ruling helped restore public trust in the American political system following the Watergate scandal, which had shaken the nation's confidence in its leaders. The aftermath of the United States v. Nixon decision led to increased scrutiny of presidential actions, especially in relation to potential abuses of power. It emphasized the importance of independent oversight and the role of the judiciary in upholding the Constitution and preserving the rule of law.