branches of the government

how cases get to the supreme court 3

1. dissatisfied parties petition the court for review- parties may appeal their cases to the supreme court petitioning the court to review the decision of the lower court. 2. justices study documents-the justices examine the petition and supporting material. 3.justices vote-4 justices must vote in favor for a case granted review.

representative

A system of government in which citizens elect representatives, or leaders, to make decisions about the laws for all the people.

Quasi-Official Agencies

Although they're not officially part of the executive branch, these agencies are required by federal statute to release certain information about their programs and activities in the Federal Register, the daily journal of government activities

Confirmation Process for Judges and Justices

Appointments for Supreme Court Justices and other federal judgeships follow the same basic process.

boards,commissions,and committees (executive branch)

Congress or the president establish these smaller organizations to manage specific tasks and areas that don't fall under parent agencies

fact

If there is an even number of Justices and a case results in a tie, the lower court's decision stands. There is no fixed term for Justices. They serve until their death, retirement, or removal in exceptional circumstances.

federal courts and judicial agencies

The Constitution gives Congress the authority to establish other federal courts to handle cases that involve federal laws including tax and bankruptcy, lawsuits involving U.S. and state governments or the Constitution, and more. Other federal judicial agencies and programs support the courts and research judicial policy

supreme court (judicial branch)

The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States. The Justices of the Supreme Court are nominated by the president and must be approved by the Senate.

Judicial Branch

The judicial branch interprets the meaning of laws, applies laws to individual cases, and decides if laws violate the Constitution. It is comprised of the Supreme Court and other federal courts

the process

The president nominates a person to fill a vacant judgeship. The Senate Judiciary Committee holds a hearing on the nominee and votes on whether to forward the nomination to the full Senate. If the nomination moves forward, the Senate can debate the nomination. Debate must end before the Senate can vote on whether to confirm the nominee. A Senator will request unanimous consent to end the debate, but any Senator can refuse. Without unanimous consent, the Senate must pass a cloture motion to end the debate. It takes a simple majority of votes—51 if all 100 Senators vote—to pass cloture and end debate about a federal judicial nominee. Once the debate ends, the Senate votes on confirmation. The nominee for Supreme Court or any other federal judgeship needs a simple majority of votes—51 if all 100 Senators vote—to be confirmed

independent agencies

These agencies are not represented in the cabinet and are not part of the Executive Office of the president. They deal with government operations, the economy, and regulatory oversight.

9 members make up the supreme court

a chief justice and eight associate justices. There must be a minimum or quorum of six Justices to decide a case

the cabinet (executive branch)

cabinet members serve as advisors to the president. they include the vice president, heads of executive departments, and other high ranking government officials. cabinet members are nominated by the president and must be approved by a simple majority of the senate 51 votes if all 100 senators vote.

the justice of the supreme court

can overturn unconstitutional laws,are nominated by the president and confirmed by the senate.

the president (in the executive branch)

can veto legislation created by congress and nominates heads of federal agencies. he/she leads the country. he or she is the head of state, leader of the federal government, and a commander of chief of the united states armed forces. the president serves four-year term and can be elected no more than twice.

congress

confirms or rejects the presidents nominees and can remove the president from office in exceptional circumstances.

the legislative branch has

congress senate house of representatives

fact

each branch of government can change acts of other branches.

oral arguments

in oral arguments each side usually has 30 minutes to present its case. the justices typically ask many questions during this time.

how cases reach the supreme court

most cases reach the court on appeal. and appeal is a request for a higher court to reverse the decision of a lower court. most appeals come from federal courts. they can come from state courts if a case deals with federal law. rarely, the court hears a new case, such as one between states.

fact

much of the work in the executive branch is done by federal agencies, departments,committees, and other groups.

what happens once a case is selected for review

parties make arguments- the justices review the briefs (written arguments) and hear oral arguments. justices write opinions- the justices vote on the case and write their opinions. the majority opinion shared by more than half of the justices becomes the courts decision. justices who disagree with the majority opinion write dissenting or minority opinions. the court issues its decision- justices may change their vote after reading firs drafts of the opinions. once the opinions are completed and all of the justices have cast a final vote, the court "hands down" its decision. All cases are heard and decided before summer recess. it can take up to 9 months to announce a decision.

the executive branch has

president vice president cabinet members

executive department sub agencies

smaller sub-agencies support specialized work within their parent executive department agencies.

How cases get to the Supreme Court 2

state trial court state court of appeals state supreme court federal trail court U.S. court of appeals

the judicial branch has

supreme court other federal courts

Executive Branch

the branch carries out and enforced laws. it includes the president, vice president, the cabinet, executive departments,independent agencies,and other board,commission, and committees.

Legislative Branch

the branch of government that drafts proposed laws, confirms or rejects presidential nominations for heads of federal agencies, federal judges, and the supreme court, and has the authority to declare war.

fact

the constitution of the united states divides the federal government into 3 branches to make sure no individual or group will have too much power.

fact

the court receives 7,000-8,000 requests for review and grants 70-80 for oral argument. other requests are granted and decided without argument.

executive office of the president

the executive office of the president communicates the presidents message and deals with the federal budget,security, and other high priorities.

the supreme court is

the highest court in the country the head of the judicial branch of the federal government deciding whether laws violate the constitution in session from early october until late june or early july

vice president (in the executive branch)

the vice president supports the president. if the president is unable to serve, the vice president becomes the president. the vice president can be elected and serve an unlimited number of four-year terms as vice president, even under a different president.

house of representatives

there are 435 elected representatives,which are divided among the 50 states in proportion to their total population. there are additional non- voting delegates who represent the district of columbia and the territories. a representative serves a two-year term, and there is no limit to the number of terms an individual can serve.

about the justices

there are 9 justices: -a chef justice, who sits in the middle and is the head of the judicial branch. -eight associate justices. when a new justice is needed: -the president nominates a candidate, usually a federal judge. -the senate votes to confirm the nominee. -the court can continue deciding cases with less than 9 justices, but if there is a tie, the lower court's decision stands. justices are appointed for life,though they may resign or retire: -they serve an average of 16 years.

senate

there are two selected senates per state, totaling 100 senators. a senate term is 6 years and there is no limit to the number of terms an individual can serve.

executive department

these are the main agencies of the federal government the heads of these agencies are also members of the presidents cabinet.

fact

this ability of each branch to respond to the actions of the other branches is called the system of checks and balances