Law 19983 on

STEPS:

(1) Reviewing Appeals -- From State Supreme Courts or Federal Courts , Writ of Certiorar,  If accepted put on DOCKET

(2) Granting the Appeal -- Rule of 4

(Usually decide no more than 150 cases with full opinion from thousands of cases on its docket each term)(2008 7,738 cases)

(3) Briefing the Case by each side -- & Amicus Curiae Briefs (outside groups)

Brief by Solicitor General of the United States // 3^rd ranking official of Justice Department & Government’s lawyer before Supreme Court

(4) Holding the Oral Argument -- On about 40 days (always Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays) starting in October and concluding in late April opposing lawyers face the justices.   // each side 30 minutes // Justices may pose questions

(5) Meeting in Conference -- On Wednesday afternoons after arguments finished at 3:00 p.M. Friday all day.    SECRET-à Confidentiality (no pages or law clerks present)

(6) Explaining the Decision -- Opinion of Court (rewrites by majority) . // Concurring Opinions (justices in majority when reject the majority’s reasoning)//(only about 1/3 of cases all 9 justices agree each term)// Dissenting Opinions (justices in minority)

(7) Writing of the Opinion -- Support of at least four

(8) Releasing the Opinion -- U.S. Supreme Court Reports (Published)

 www.Supremecourt.Gov (website)

Limits on Judicial Power

•Stare Decisis(rule of precedent)e.G. Upholding Roe v. Wade (1973 Decision)

•But court can reverse giving a new interpretation

•Role Perception of individual justices -- Judicial Activists and Judicial Restraintists

(Q. 4) Judicial Power In a Constitutional Democracy

Independent Judiciary// Appointed & Confirmed for Life// Average length of service: less than 15 years// Since 1970 has increased to 26 years