UNIT #4
The Judicial Branch
CHAPTER #12
The Supreme Court at Work
LESSON #1
How the Court Process Works
-The Supreme Court’s (S.C.) term begins in October and runs until May
-The Supreme Court acts primarily as a court of appeals, deciding to uphold or reverse a lower court’s decision
The Supreme Court’s Weekly Schedule
Page 1
The Court’s WorkUNIT #4
The Judicial Branch
CHAPTER #12
The Supreme Court at Work
LESSON #1
How the Court Process Works
Day Task
Mon Hear Oral Arguments
Tues Hear Oral Arguments
Wed AM-Hear Oral Arguments
PM-Meet to discuss Cases
Thurs Sometimes Hear Oral Arguments
Fri PM-Meet to discuss Cases
-The remainder of their time, justices: 1. Work on decisions2. Meet with their law clerks
Getting to the Supreme Court-About 10,000 requests for review are sent to
the S.C. each year, 100 are heard-Four justices must agree to take the case-If the Supreme Court refuses to hear a case,
the lower court’s decision is finalCases get to the S.C. because they:• Raise a key constitutional question• Raise a key legal question • Has diversity (involves interstate dispute)Page 2
(continued)UNIT #4
The Judicial Branch
CHAPTER #12
The Supreme Court at Work
LESSON #1
How the Court Process Works
-Once a S.C. case is scheduled, lawyers from each side file briefs
-Briefs include facts and legal precedent-Amicus Curiae briefs can also be filed -Lawyers give 30 minute oral arguments
summarizing the case’s main legal points, fielding questions from justices
-Justices then discuss, share their opinions and vote in a private conference
-After, opinions are written; majority (agree), dissenting (disagree) and concurring (agree, but for a different reason)
-Opinions are published and become legal precedentPage 3
UNIT #4
The Judicial Branch
CHAPTER #12
The Supreme Court at Work
LESSON #1
How the Court Process Works
The Decision-Making Process
Page 4
UNIT #4
The Judicial Branch
CHAPTER #12
The Supreme Court at Work
LESSON #1
How the Court Process Works
-Study the chart on page 220!
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