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The role of the Judicial Branch is to interpret the laws and apply them in court. If the Government were like a basketball game, the Judicial Branch would act as the referee to help settle disputes. The Judicial Branch is made up of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is the highest Court in the United States, and it has the final word on everything. The Supreme Court only takes the really important cases because it only takes cases 6 months out of the year. There are nine people, or justices that serve in the court. There are nine people to ensure there will never be an even amount of votes on either side of a case. Being on the Supreme Court Justice is an important and a powerful job. Their job is important because once they are appointed and put on the justice to serve, they serve for the rest of their life. Although it may seem like a good thing to be appointed for life, they have the freedom to do things without consequences. The Judicial Branch is also made up of lower court systems that deal with civil and criminal cases. A civil case is a private case when one citizen sues another. Usually civil cases deal with divorce, small claims or general law cases. On the other hand, Criminal Cases deal with people who have committed a crime, or done something illegal. Everyone convicted of a crime has the right to a fast and speedy trial, with a jury present. A criminal can also not be convicted for a crime more than once. Although this is true, there are ways to get around this rule. For example, a criminal can be tried and convicted on a state level, and get in trouble for the same crime on a federal level. Overall, everyone is innocent until proven guilty.
The picture above is the symbol for the Judicial Branch, and the statue represents the nations goal: equal justice for all. In fact, the words "Equal Justice for All" are chiseled into the marble above the Supreme Court building in Washington D.C.
The women pictured is blindfolded in order to prove that she is being equal and not judging based on sex or race. She is also holding a scale to show equality. Overall, the theme for the Judicial System is equality.
Review Questions
1. What is the role of the Judicial Branch?
2. What is the name of the highest court in the United States?
3. How long does someone serve on the Supreme court?
a) Five Years b) For Life c) Ten Years d) Two Years
4. Can a criminal be convicted for a crime more than once?
5. Is everyone guilty or innocent?
2. What is the name of the highest court in the United States?
3. How long does someone serve on the Supreme court?
a) Five Years b) For Life c) Ten Years d) Two Years
4. Can a criminal be convicted for a crime more than once?
5. Is everyone guilty or innocent?
Review Answers
1. The Judicial Branch punishes those who do now follow the laws.
2. The Supreme Court.
3. B- For Life
4. No, but a criminal can be charged on a state and federal offense.
5. Everyone is always considered innocent until proven guilty.
2. The Supreme Court.
3. B- For Life
4. No, but a criminal can be charged on a state and federal offense.
5. Everyone is always considered innocent until proven guilty.
Vocabulary
1. Justices- People that serve on the Supreme Court.
2. Convicted- declare (someone) to be guilty of a criminal offense by the verdict of a jury or the decision of a judge in a court of law.
3. Innocent- not guilty of a crime or offense.
4. Guilty- culpable of or responsible for a specified wrongdoing.
2. Convicted- declare (someone) to be guilty of a criminal offense by the verdict of a jury or the decision of a judge in a court of law.
3. Innocent- not guilty of a crime or offense.
4. Guilty- culpable of or responsible for a specified wrongdoing.
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In a nutshell, the Judicial Branch is responsible for interpreting the law and making consequences for those who do not follow the law. The Supreme Court is the highest court system in the United States, and only takes the important cases leaving civil disputes for the smaller local court systems. The Justices are very important and serve for life, which is a big responsibility. Being in the judicial Branch is a lot of work, but it is needed in order to interpret the laws and convicted criminals of crimes.