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THE COURT’S PROCEDURES• Submitting Briefs
−Legal arguments on the case−Parties not directly involved may submit
amicus curiae
• Oral Arguments
• The Conference−Justices meet to discuss cases on Fridays
• Writing the Opinion−Unanimous opinion−Majority opinion−Concurring opinion−Dissenting opinion
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GETTING CASES TO THE COURT• Fall under Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction
• Writ of certiorari− Order from the court to send the records for a case up− Generally select very few
• On Appeal
• The Solicitor General− Appointed by the President and represents the federal
government− Determines if lower federal court decisions should be
appealed
• Rule of Four− If four of nine justices agree to accept the case, they will
hear it− Either ask for more information or rule on info already
available• Per curiam opinion – a brief, unsigned opinion
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TOOLS FOR SHAPING POLICY• 3 Ways Supreme Court Determines Policy
−Using judicial review•Ruled Abraham Lincoln could not suspend
certain civil rights−Interpreting the meaning of laws
•Decipher loose wording
−Over-ruling previous decisions•Stare decisis – let the
decision stand−Previous decisions
create a precedent
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INFLUENCING PUBLIC POLICY
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LIMITS ON THE SUPREME COURT• Limits on Types of Issues
−Minor role in foreign policy−Bulk of cases are civil liberties
• Limits on Types of Cases−Decision must make a difference−The plaintiff must have suffered real
harm−Must involve a substantial federal
question−Will not decide on issues the executive
or legislative branch can decide
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LIMITS ON THE SUPREME COURT
• Limited Control Over Agenda−Wait for cases to arrive to their desk
• Lack of Enforcement Power−Lower court judges may ignore decisions−President and Congress can fail to
enforce decisions
• Checks and Balances−President appoints justices−Congress approves appointments and
can impeach and remove