Participation in Government

Unit 1 | Topic 7 | The Judicial Branch

How should we handle conflict?

Watch My Story

Topic 7 The Judicial Branch

Watch the My Story Video for an introduction to the Executive Branch.

Topic 7.1

The National Judiciary

As the ideas of self-government and fundamental civil liberties began to emerge in colonial America, colonists cast a critical eye on the courts. Corrupt, tyrannical leaders throughout history had used many tactics to maintain control, including exerting undue influence on the legal process. Those who acted against these rulers would be arrested and jailed without a trial, for example, quite often without ever being charged with a crime. Even for those lucky enough to stand before the court, a guilty verdict was inevitable. By controlling the court system, corrupt leaders could control the people.

View Topic 7.1🔗

Topic 7.2

The Supreme Court

The eagle, the flag, Uncle Sam-you almost certainly recognize these symbols. They are used widely widely to represent the United States. You probably also know the symbol for justice: the blindfolded woman holding a balanced scale. She represents what is perhaps this nation's loftiest goal: equal justice under the law. Indeed, those words are chiseled in marble above the entrance to the Supreme Court building in Washington D.C.

View Topic 7.2🔗

Topic 7.3

The Inferior and the Special Courts

You know that the particular meaning of a word often depends on the context-the setting-in which it is used. Thus, pitch can be either a baseball term or a musical term; it can also refer to the setting up a tent or to a high-pressure sales talk. The word inferior also has various meanings. Here, it describes the lower federal courts, those courts created by an act of Congress to function beneath the Supreme Court. The inferior courts handle nearly all of the cases tried in the federal courts.

View Topic 7.3🔗

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse