WorksheetsSCOTUS Terms AP
Total questions: 10
Worksheet time: 5mins
In December of 2018 SCOTUS failed to get 4 justices to agree to hear a case that could have potentially scaled back abortion rights (Planned Parenthood v. Kansas). Shockingly Justice Kavanaugh voted with the 4 liberal justices to deny this term (Which is the agreement of the justices to hear a case in the SCOTUS?)
Writ of Certiorari
Amicus Curiae Brief
Writ of Mandamus
Concurring Opinion
These positions are very important assistants to the SCOTUS justices. They do a lot of the research and even write and edit opinions of the court. *Justice Kavanaugh is the first justice to pick an all female group. Wonder why?
law clerks
solicitor generals
SCOTUS interns
attorneys general
Currently Noel Francisco, he's the DOJ official who represents the federal government in front of the SCOTUS.
Attorney General
Solicitor General
Secretary of Justice
Chief Justice
Literally meaning "friend of the court", these are submitted to the SCOTUS by non-parties in a case that have a stake in the case. Some justices read them. Some don't.
Amicus Curiae
Majority Opinions
Dissenting Opinions
Amour Fidelis
These are typically time limited to 1 hour, and justices can interrupt the lawyer at any time. Imagine the rudest teacher ever while you're presenting. And they are largely just show, they barely matter. Yikes.
Oral Arguments
Conference
Grand Jury Hearing
Evidentiary Hearing
Two are held per week when Court is in session, usually on Wednesday and Friday afternoons and only SCOTUS justices are allowed. Every justice speaks (in order of seniority) then they vote in order of seniority. The newest justice is the coffee boy. Ha!
Conference
Oral Arguments
Amicus Curiae
Certiorari
The opinion of the court or the "majority" opinion is the ruling. Who assigns who will write the majority opinion?
the Chief Justice, always
the Chief Justice, if he's in the majority
Rock-Paper-Scissors tournament amongst those in majority
The justice with the least experience
Why are dissenting opinions written?
to express disagreement and to persuade future justices to overturn the ruling
to clarify the ruling
to instruct state courts on how to implement the ruling
to express agreement with the majority ruling but on different grounds.
A justice usually writes this after signing on with the majority but want to explain rationale or reasoning that might be different.
Majority Opinion
Dissenting Opinion
Concurring Opinion
Amicus Curiae
Which is the correct order of the Federal Judiciary
1) SCOTUS, 2) Courts of Appeals, 3) District Courts
1) State Courts, 2) Federal Courts, 3) SCOTUS
1) District Courts, 2) Courts of Appeals, 3) SCOTUS
1) Magistrate's Court, 2) Appeals Court, 3) Supreme Court
