Essay on your supreme court case! Due Wednesday. First Draft TYPED. I will review and return if necessary for rewrite.

ESSAY ON SUPREME COURT CASE.

2 page essay; double spaced; 12 font; Use your Organizer! 

1.1.  Intro to the case; “the story”;

2.2.  Explain the  Constitutional Question.  What amendments are involved in either argument?

3.3.  State 2 Arguments for your side of the case

4.4.  State 2 Arguments  for the opposing side

5.5.  Explain 2 Precedent cases; info and decisions

6. 

6. Conclusion:  Why should your side win this case? What did the U.S. Courts decide? (see OYEZ or court website); How did they vote and why?  Do you agree or disagree with them?  Why?  In what way will this decision affect you, your family, other students, groups, fairness, etc.?

6.

6. 

Supreme court is in session! Jewel v. NSA

We will have our first court session.  Remember to Dress for Success, post your finished
legal firm sign, and have your supporting pictures printed to present to the court.

Good Luck!!

Thursday Supreme Court Presentations: dress code, signs, opening and closing arguments, visuals printed...

nWhat is the constitutional question.

nHow has your side been wronged/damaged/denied rights?

nWhat does your side want?

nEmphasize your most persuasive argument.   It can be legal or a point of view..  But must refer to the constitution or principles of the constitution.

nWhat legal precedents influence this case?  How do they support your case?

nHow should the court decide?  Why?

Sit at your legal team table.  Post your sign.  Get your picture taken!

1. 1.Petitioner, then, Respondent Opening statements (1-2 min)
2. 2.Questioning by justices 1-2
3. 3.Main arguments, visual evidence, precedent cases and rebuttal;  3-5
4. 4.questioning by justices 1-2
5. 5.Rebuttal
6. 6.Petitioner Closing Statement and Respondent Closing Statement 2
7. 7.Justices will deliberate. 5 min.  Chief Justice will announce decision.

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Write your closing argument! DUE in class Wednesday.

Closing arguments— 

 

1. nHumanize your client AGAIN!
2. nRecap the Story
3. nRecap the Key Facts and constitutional issues
4. nDid you prove your case?  Did they prove their case?  Why or why not?
5. nRemind Justices why your side is right.
6. nConclude with Emotion! 
7.  
8.  

PSA TOPics from Obama's State of the Union Address

nMichelle’s Let’s Move partnership with schools, businesses, and local leaders has helped bring down childhood obesity rates for the first time in thirty years – an achievement that will improve lives and reduce health care costs for decades to come. 

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nThe White House organized a College Opportunity Summit where already, 150 universities, businesses, and nonprofits have made concrete commitments to reduce inequality in access to higher education – and help hardworking kids go to college and succeed. 

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nEvery four minutes, another American home or business goes solar; every panel pounded into place by a worker whose job can’t be outsourced. . We’ve partnered with businesses, builders, and local communities to reduce the energy we consume.  When we rescued our automakers, for example, we worked with them to set higher fuel efficiency standards for our cars. 

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n And for good reason: when people come here to fulfill their dreams – to study, invent, and contribute to our culture – they make our country a more attractive place for businesses to locate and create jobs for everyone.  So let’s get immigration reform done this year.

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nWe also have to prepare tomorrow’s workforce, by guaranteeing every child access to a world-class education.  Race to the Top, with the help of governors from both parties, has helped states raise expectations and performance.    Research shows that one of the best investments we can make in a child’s life is high-quality early education.  Last year, I asked this Congress to help states make pre-K available to every four year-old. . 

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nToday, women make up about half our workforce.  But they still make 77 cents for every dollar a man earns.  That is wrong, and in 2014, it’s an embarrassment. A woman deserves equal pay for equal work.  She deserves to have a baby without sacrificing her job. 

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nIn the coming weeks, I will issue an Executive Order requiring federal contractors to pay their federally-funded employees a fair wage of at least $10.10 an hour – because if you cook our troops’ meals or wash their dishes, you shouldn’t have to live in poverty.

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nCitizenship means standing up for everyone’s right to vote.  Last year, part of the Voting Rights Act was weakened.  But conservative Republicans and liberal Democrats are working together to strengthen it; and the bipartisan commission I appointed last year has offered reforms so that no one has to wait more than a half hour to vote.    It should be the power of our vote, not the size of our bank account, that drives our democracy.

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nCitizenship means standing up for the lives that gun violence steals from us each day.  I have seen the courage of parents, students, pastors, and police officers all over this country who say “we are not afraid,” and I intend to keep trying, with or without Congress, to help stop more tragedies from visiting innocent Americans in our movie theaters, shopping malls, or schools like Sandy Hook.

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nThat’s why, working with this Congress, I will reform our  surveillance programs – because the vital work of our intelligence community depends on public confidence, here and abroad, that the privacy of ordinary people is not being violated. 

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nAs this time of war draws to a close, a new generation of heroes returns to civilian life.  We’ll keep slashing that backlog so our veterans receive the benefits they’ve earned, and our wounded warriors receive the health care – including the mental health care – that they need.  We’ll keep working to help all our veterans translate their skills and leadership into jobs here at home.

Complete Opening Statement!

Introduction/Opening Arguments

nAddress the Supreme Court Justices and audience politely “Good afternoon honorable S. C. Justices and ladies and gentlemen in the courtroom”

1.Tell the story; Once upon a time…..

2.Humanize the client and the background

3.The Law  Clearly state position:  _____ is un/constitutional because 1. ___, 2. ____, 3. ____

4.The Evidence or facts; outline the facts; a Road Map to what you will prove!

5.Hook is optional….use a rhetorical question to focus the jury(personalizes, emotional, dramatic, memorable)

6.What outcome do you want the jury/judge to arrive at?

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Complete arguments FOR and AGAINST; look up Precedent Cases (2-3)

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nSupreme Court Case Calendar of Assignments and Events!

 

2/5 Complete story; questions; amendments

n2/6 complete arguments for/against (4-5)

n2/6 Find 2-3 precedent cases; read and summarize the arguments and the court decision

n2/7 Teams work together to dig deeper on the arguments for the plaintiff/petitioner  and respondent/defendant

n2/10  Teams split into two groups:  Representing the Petitioner and the Respondent; Further develop the arguments FOR your side of the case.

n2/11  Write opening and closing arguments

n2/12  Rehearse/practice for court

n2/13  Supreme Court Session #1

n2/14 Supreme Court Session #2

n2/17  Supreme Court Session #3 if needed

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Supreme Court Organizer Start Up!

Complete page 1 of the Supreme Court Organizer
Write your case summary or story on the back; or collaborate and compose as a team

Complete top section on page 2:  What is the question and the constitution issue?  what amendment is being addressed or considered in this case?

Due Thursday.

Thank you.

Research Your Supreme Court Case!!

1.

1. nUse websites below
2. REad a story of the case
3. re-Write the story in 3 paragraph;  tell as a  story on back of page 1
4. Complete page 2:  name the constitutional issue, what is the question, what amendment is it about?
5. On page 2, write  2-3 arguments for and against

 

 

n

n

nfindlaw.com 

nhttp://www.scotusblog.com

nhttp://www.oyez.org/

nhttp://www.supremecourtus.gov/

nhttp://www.landmarkcases.org/

nburnell/USHistory/Constitution/SupremeCourtCases.htm

nhttp://billofrightsinstitute.org

HW: REPORT ON THE SUPERBOWL!! ;)

Choose our Supreme Court Cases!

Rank order the Supreme Court Cases we have examined.  Rank order the top 1-3.
Make a strong argument as to why we should study your number 1 choice.
Include your opinion; do you agree or disagree with either party?  Do you agree with a Supreme or other Court decision on this issue?

1.

1.   Grutter v. Bollinger (univ of michigan) ; and Amy Fischer vs. University of Texas ,  Affirmative Action:  Can universities use race as a factor in admissions without violating the 14th amendment of the Constitution? 
Amy Fischer; a  white girl denied admission; overlooked for her white identity  maritza, 20  jerson, brandon,20  victor 20, raul, becky

1.Top 8-10%; diversity vs. rights of the individual; is it racial preference system? Fight history of discrimination of the past. 

 

2.  Citizens United v. FEC   Can the government limit campaign donations?  Does a political action committee or group have the constitutional right to donate unlimited contributions to a political campaign?  Protected speech; Supreme Court voted for Citizens United JC 20.. Lucy, chayuth 20, carlos 20

4.  Shelby County v. Holder, Can a state government make changes to voting districts in the South without obstaining Federal pre-clearance?  makethe Supreme Court struck down Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act, which established a  formula for Congress to use when determining if a state or voting jurisdiction requires prior approval before changing its voting laws. Currently under Section 5 of mostly Southern—states with a history of discrimination must get clearance from Congress before changing voting rules to make sure racial minorities are not negatively affected.  Supreme court said Section 5 is not useful.  Sofia 20, kevin

 

5. Reynolds Tobacco v. FDA;  Can the FDA compel the Tobacco Industry to provide graphic imagery on cigarette packaging?  1..inform the public;  2. violates tobacco industry freedom of speech    Gayanne, andrew, rebecca, javier,20 jannette. 

 

6.Town of Greece v. Galloway;  Legislative Prayer   Is prayer at sessions of government bodies (legislative prayer) unconstitutional ?  Do these prayers endorse religion? This case will consider Establishment Clause violations for the part forty years.  VAL, Cat 20 

 

7 .McCullen v.  Coakley,  Massachusett.   Free Speech.  Can a Massachusetts law creating a 35 -100 feet buffer zone around abortion clinics, in which no one can approach a pregnant woman to offer her information or encouragement not to proceed with abortion , violates the First Amendment?  Aron, max 20 Carlos, alma, kevin 20, alma 20

8  Oklahoma v. Barber. Personhood Law.  Can a state decide when a fetus is a human? Does life begin at conception?  Can a state stop abortions?  A ballot measure to the state constitution was struck down by the Oklahoma Supreme Court.   It would ban access to abortions and that a fertilized human egg as a person is clearly unconstitutional.Takes away choice. Does is violate the 14th amendment JAY, Leonor, diana, 20  erik 20, 

 

9. NSA Phone Surveillance:   Could Be Headed For Supreme Court – Can the government tap our emails and phone calls in order to protect and secure our country after 9/11?  kimberly, julian, jesus, angel, 20 peter,20  kevin

Supreme Court Case Research; partner presentations; oral

1.Summarize the question in this case.  Can a________do___________? 

Describe the background; people in the case; what happened?

1.Summarize the basic 2 sides of this case.  provide examples

2.Explain why this is an important case for us to learn about, discuss, and argue in court.

1.  Grutter v. Bollinger; and Amy Fischer vs. University of TEXAS ,  Affirmative Action:  Can universities use race as a factor in admissions without violating the 14th amendment of the Constitution? 
issues of diversity; top 10%; of a black h.s.

nAmy Fischer vs. University of TEXAS; white girl; overlooked for her white identity  maritza,  jerson, brandon, victor, raul, becky

2.  Citizens United v. FEC   Can the government limit campaign donations?  Does a political action committee or group have the constitutional right to donate unlimited contributions to a political campaign?  …JC.. Lucy, chayuth

National Federation of Independent Business v. Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Supreme Court upheld most of President Barack Obama's healthcare law—aka Obamacare---a signature legislation of his first term, including the individual mandate, which requires that most Americans buy health insurance or pay a fee. The court ruled, 5–4, that the individual mandate is constitutional under Congress's taxing authority. ALEXIs

4.  Shelby County v. Holder, the Supreme Court struck down Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act, which established a

formula for Congress to use when determining if a state or voting jurisdiction requires prior approval before changing its voting laws. Currently under Section 5 of mostly Southern—states with a history of discrimination must get clearance from Congress before changing voting rules to make sure racial minorities are not negatively affected. While the 5–4 decision did not invalidate Section 5, it made it toothless. Sofia, kevin

5. b. Reynolds Tobacco v. FDA;  Can the FDA compel the Tobacco Industry to provide graphic imagery on cigarette packaging?  1..inform the public;  2. violates tobacco industry freedom of speech    Gayanne, andrew, rebecca, javier, jannette.

6.Town of Greece v. Galloway;  Legislative Prayer   Is prayer at sessions of government bodies (legislative prayer) unconstitutional ?  Do these prayers endorse religion? This case will consider Establishment Clause violations for the part forty years.  VAL, Cat

7 .McCullen v.  Coakley,  Massachusett.   Free Speech.  Can a Massachusetts law creating a buffer zone around abortion clinics, in which no one can approachc a pregnant woman to offer her information or encouragement not to proceed with abortion , violates the First Amendment?  Aron, max, Carlos, alma, kevin

8  Oklahoma v. Barber.  Does life begin at conception?  A ballot measure to the state constitution was struck down by the Oklahoma Supreme Court.  Justices said it would ban access to abortions and that a fertilized human egg as a person is clearly unconstitutional.   JAY, Leonor, diana

9. NSA Phone Surveillance:   Could Be Headed For Supreme Court –kimberly, julian, jesus, angel, peter, kevin 

nhttp://www.oyez.org/

nhttp://www.scotusblog.com

nhttp://www.supremecourtus.gov/

nburnell/USHistory/Constitution/SupremeCourtCases.htm

nhttp://billofrightsinstitute.org/

9.See the Huffington Post

 

Watch the State of the Union Address; 6 pm; or later online (such as CSPAN)

State of the Union Address.  Why does the President give this speech every year? Is it in the Constitution in Article II Section 3 (look!)  Who attends the address? What topics are typically covered in the speech? What topics are covered tonight…..WATCH to answer!! Divide into two columns:   

 

List Accomplishment from 2013;   

 

List Proposals/plans for 2014.

REVISED QUIZ for Tuesday

Show what you know;  define, explain, give an example/case example

1.civil liberties

2.civil rights

3.bill of rights

4.Define the 1st Amendment.

5.2nd Amendment

6.14th Amendment

7.symbolic speech

8.unconstitutional

9.obscenity

10.Libel

11.Slander

12.Prior restraint

13.freedom of association

14.Describe the Supreme court:  # of judges; 2 major powers of the supreme court.

15.Explain “separation of church and state”. 

Review for Quiz on Tuesday; see previous blog entry for your letter on gun control

(see previous blog entry for your letter on gun control)

 

 

Quiz prep:  Show what you know

 

1.civil liberties

2.civil rights

3.bill of rights

4.List and Explain the 5 freedoms of the 1st Amendment.

5.Define the 2nd Amendment

6.Define the 14th Amendment

7.symbolic speech

8.unconstitutional

9.obscenity

10.Libel

11.Slander

12.Prior restraint

13.

14.Describe the Supreme court:  # of judges; 2 major powers of the supreme court.

15.Explain “separation of church and state”. 

Letter about the 2nd Amendment; gun control

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Read each point of view. Choose one you agree with.  Use the topic sentence from below, and support with ideas from your notes to Write as a letter to your representative.

 

Pov 1.  The government should have the power to ban handguns because the 2nd amendment does not say the purpose of guns is for self defense, its for protecting the state.  Limiting gun violence is a legitimate government purpose 

 

nPov 2.  The government should not be able to ban handguns but should be able to regulate handguns.  The violent crime in our cities necessitate the regulation of handguns.  Chicago is trying to regulate, not ban. 

 

nPov 3.  The government should not be able to prohibit handgun ownership because it is a 2nd amendment right.  This right should not be infringed upon. This right is not connected to being in a militia, but preserving our individual liberty.  If handguns are banned, then all guns may be prohibited.

nGo to http://capwiz.com/constitutioncenter/home

 

n

nDear Representative ________,

nI believe the government should (should not)………………….   The following are my reasons for my point of view.