1. The US Supreme Court
SHS Social Studies

2. Federal Court Structure

3. Structure Con’t…
• Set up by the Constitution
• Each of these courts have jurisdiction (the right to
hear a case)
• State courts also have jurisdiction, but state cases
can enter the Federal system through state
supreme courts
• The case HAS to include a federal law or a US
Constitutional issue

5. Jurisdiction
• Original (trial court): Federal—US laws, the
Constitution, 2 or more state governments, US
government, citizens of different states or citizen
and a different state, ambassadors or foreign
officials
• Concurrent (choice of courts): both Federal &
state governments have jurisdiction
• Appellate (hears an appeal): includes Supreme
Court

6. The Supreme Court
• Original jurisdiction:
certain cases in which a
state is a party; cases
involving reps. of foreign
governments
• Appellate jurisdiction:
almost all cases
• Steps:
1. Grant certiorari/calendar
2. Oral arguments
3. Decision issued

7. Who Are The Judges (appointed
by President, approved by
Senate)?

8. Reagan Appointees
Antonin Scalia (C) Anthony Kennedy (M)

9. H.W. Bush Appointee
Clarence Thomas (C)

10. Clinton Appointees
Ruth Bader Ginsburg (L) Stephen Breyer (L)

11. W. Bush Appointees
Chief Justice John Roberts (C) Samuel Alito (C)

12. Obama Appointee
Justice Sonya Sotomayer (L) Justice Elena Kagan (L)

13. Oral Argument
Planned Parenthood v. Ayotte

14. Decision
• Most important ever: Marbury v. Madison