🎪Intro to American Politics Unit 10 – The Judiciary

Key Concepts and Terms

• Judicial review enables the Supreme Court to determine the constitutionality of laws and executive actions
• Stare decisis refers to the principle of adhering to precedent in judicial decision-making
• Judicial activism involves judges making decisions that may be seen as creating law or policy
• Judicial restraint emphasizes the limited role of the judiciary and deference to the other branches of government
• Originalism is a theory of constitutional interpretation that focuses on the original meaning or intent of the Constitution's framers
• Living Constitution theory argues that the Constitution should be interpreted in light of contemporary values and circumstances
• Strict constructionism is an approach to constitutional interpretation that emphasizes a narrow, literal reading of the text
• Loose constructionism allows for a broader, more flexible interpretation of the Constitution to address changing societal needs

Structure of the U.S. Court System

• The U.S. court system consists of federal and state courts, each with their own jurisdiction
• Federal courts are divided into three main levels: district courts, circuit courts of appeals, and the Supreme Court
  • District courts are trial courts that hear both civil and criminal cases
  • Circuit courts of appeals review decisions made by district courts and federal agencies
  • The Supreme Court is the highest court in the nation and has the final say on constitutional matters
• State court systems vary but generally include trial courts, intermediate appellate courts, and a state supreme court
• Jurisdiction refers to the authority of a court to hear and decide cases, which can be based on geography or subject matter
• Federal question jurisdiction allows federal courts to hear cases involving the U.S. Constitution, federal laws, or treaties
• Diversity jurisdiction enables federal courts to hear cases between citizens of different states if the amount in controversy exceeds a certain threshold

The Supreme Court: Composition and Functions

• The Supreme Court consists of nine justices, including the Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices
• Justices are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate, serving lifetime appointments
• The Supreme Court's primary function is to serve as the final arbiter of the Constitution and federal law
• The Court exercises its power through judicial review, determining the constitutionality of laws and executive actions
• Cases reach the Supreme Court through appeals from lower courts or through its original jurisdiction in limited circumstances
• The Court selects cases to hear through the writ of certiorari process, requiring at least four justices to agree to hear a case
• Justices hear oral arguments, review written briefs, and issue opinions explaining their decisions
• The Court's decisions are binding on all lower courts and establish precedent for future cases

Judicial Review and Landmark Cases

• Judicial review was established in the landmark case Marbury v. Madison (1803), affirming the Supreme Court's power to declare laws unconstitutional
• Brown v. Board of Education (1954) overturned the "separate but equal" doctrine, ruling that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional
• Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) established the right to legal counsel for criminal defendants who cannot afford an attorney
• Miranda v. Arizona (1966) required police to inform suspects of their rights before interrogation, including the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney
• Roe v. Wade (1973) recognized a constitutional right to privacy and legalized abortion nationwide, though later modified by Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992)
• United States v. Nixon (1974) limited executive privilege and compelled President Nixon to release the Watergate tapes
• Bush v. Gore (2000) effectively decided the 2000 presidential election by halting the Florida recount, demonstrating the Court's significant role in political disputes

Appointment Process of Federal Judges

• Federal judges, including Supreme Court justices, are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate
• The President often considers factors such as ideology, diversity, and political support when selecting nominees
• Senate Judiciary Committee holds hearings to question nominees and gather information about their background and views
• The full Senate then votes on the nomination, requiring a simple majority for confirmation
• Once confirmed, federal judges serve lifetime appointments, which helps ensure judicial independence
• The appointment process has become increasingly politicized, with greater focus on nominees' ideological views and potential impact on key issues
• Controversial nominations can lead to intense political battles and even filibusters in the Senate

Judicial Decision-Making and Ideology

• Judicial decision-making is influenced by various factors, including legal precedent, the Constitution, statutes, and judges' own ideological views
• Judges' ideologies can be broadly categorized as liberal, conservative, or moderate, often reflecting their views on key issues such as civil rights, economic regulation, and social policy
• The attitudinal model suggests that judges' decisions are primarily driven by their personal policy preferences and values
• The legal model emphasizes the constraining force of legal rules, precedent, and the text of the Constitution and statutes
• Strategic models recognize that judges consider the potential actions of other political actors and institutions when making decisions
• Unanimous decisions are often based on clear legal principles, while split decisions may reflect ideological divisions on the Court
• The composition of the Court and the ideological balance among justices can have a significant impact on the direction of legal doctrine over time

The Judiciary's Role in the Political System

• The judiciary serves as a check on the legislative and executive branches, ensuring that their actions comply with the Constitution
• Through judicial review, the courts can strike down laws or executive actions that violate constitutional principles
• The judiciary plays a crucial role in protecting individual rights and liberties, such as freedom of speech, due process, and equal protection under the law
• Courts interpret and apply laws passed by Congress, shaping their practical implementation and resolving disputes over their meaning
• The judiciary's decisions can have significant political and social consequences, such as shaping policies on issues like abortion, affirmative action, and same-sex marriage
• Judicial appointments, particularly to the Supreme Court, have become a central issue in political campaigns and elections
• The judiciary's role in the political system has been debated, with some arguing for judicial restraint and others advocating for a more active role in addressing societal issues

Current Issues and Debates in the Judiciary

• The appointment of conservative justices under recent Republican administrations has shifted the ideological balance of the Supreme Court, raising concerns about the future of key precedents
• The politicization of the judicial appointment process has led to increased partisan tensions and more contentious confirmation battles
• The Supreme Court's decisions on hot-button issues such as abortion, gun rights, and LGBTQ+ rights continue to generate controversy and shape public debate
• The Court's role in resolving election disputes, as in Bush v. Gore, has raised questions about its political neutrality and legitimacy
• Calls for court reform, such as expanding the size of the Supreme Court or imposing term limits on justices, have gained attention in recent years
• The use of nationwide injunctions by lower courts to block executive actions has sparked debate over the proper scope of judicial power
• The impact of technology on issues like privacy rights and free speech presents new challenges for the courts in applying legal principles to a changing world