BR 3-31-14

I do think that racism is still an issue. It may not be as bad as it used to be, but it is still here. I believe that people are more open towards different races, but there is still a trace of bashing against them from some peers. I think it will always be a problem for some people especially if that's how they were raised but it will never be as bad as it was.

BR 3-27-14

Supreme Court Justices are nominated by the President, then voted on by Congress. The Justices then serve until retirement, resignation, or death (unless the Justice fails to have "good behavior"). Do you think Supreme Court Justices should serve for life? Should the American people vote for Justices, or leave it those who have "experience"?

BR 3-24-14

This article is about a virus outbreak that has already taken the lives of 59 people in Africa..

Court Cases

Religion: Contraception vs. Religious Freedom - On March 25th the supreme court will hear a case that challenges the provision of women's health amendment to the affordable healthcare act. I believe that the Contraception side will eventually win this case based on the information given in the article.

Minority: Hollingsworth vs. Perry - The supreme court ruled that same sex marriage opponents in California did not have standing to appeal the lower court ruling which changed the law on same sex marriage in the state of California.

School System: Safford Unified School District vs. Redding - Savanna Redding, an eighth grader, was strip searched by school officials because she was believed to have had ibuprofen. She is saying that her 4th amendment was violated. The school officials also did not have enough evidence to do the search. It was concluded that it did violate her rights and was not a justified reason to strip search a 13 year old girl.

Notes 3-20-14

Inferior courts:

• created by congress to function beneath the Supreme court
• not required in the constitution

District Courts

• handle more than 350,000 cases a year
• 84 district courts
• 12 judicial districts

multi-judge panels - more than one judge to hear a case

FISA - Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court

Alien Terrorist Removal court - removes alien terrorists

District courts have either civil or criminal cases

Most decisions made here are final (start here, end here)

 Court of appeals - handles all appealed cases - each has 6-28 judges

Court of International Trade - federal trial court - only tries civil cases that arise out of nations customs and other trade related laws. 

BR 3-20-14

I agree with judicial activism.

Assignment 3-19-14

Ground Floor:
1. in the filing room the petitions are stored
2. The press room is located here

1st Floor:
1. Ceremonial robing room where judges put robes on, shake hands, and go in by seniority
2. Four friezes that ring the upper part of the courtroom.

2nd Floor:
1. John Marshall Dining Room is a room for only justices
2. 4 Interior courtyards

3rd Floor:
1. SC library is the only major room on this floor
2. contains all volumes of state and federal laws and other documents