| Use of Information |
The Supreme Court holds oral arguments for each case they accept.
The oral arguments for each case last 1 hour, with each side having 30 minutes to argue their case (including whatever time they spend answering questions from the justices). Before oral arguments take place, the justices have already become familiar with the facts of the case and the lower court’s rulings through reading the briefs and other documents about the case.
In our mock Supreme Court, each side will have a maximum of 30 minutes.
We will have 9 justices and 3 lawyers on each side. Normally only one lawyer would argue before the court, but for our purposes we will allow lawyers to take turns in argument and/or in answering questions from the justices. Attorneys can also help each other answer the questions at issue.
The 9 justices will also render a decision in the case, though not in writing.
The remaining people in the class will be reporters who are covering the hearing and will have to write a news article about what happens.
Everyone will be required to read materials about the case and compile arguments each side can use. Justices will also have to write possible questions, and attorneys will have to write possible questions and answers to those questions. Justices and attorneys will have to write a reflection on the activity.
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Books on reserve cart in the media center
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Online Reference Sources
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Internet Sites Provided on this pathfinder
ONLINE REFERENCES
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INTERNET SITES
A Liberal Case for Gun Rights Sways Judiciary
The Supreme Court: The District of Columbia vs. Heller
Amendment Challenge to District Gun Ban
Preparing for an Oral Argument
Judicial Opinion Writing Handbook
Inside the Supreme Court: Historic Cases
Oyez Oyez: US Supreme Court Multimedia
THOMAS: Legislative Information on the Internet
The Supreme Court
Court Cases: Supreme Court Hallmarks
Famous Trials
WRITING ACTIVITY
Lawyers and Justices:
Write a reflection on your participation in this activity of at least 750 words. Focus on your own role in both preparation and participation in the oral arguments themselves. Then include your own opinion about how this case should be decided, and why. Since you are reflecting on your own participation in this activity you may use the first person.
Reporters:
Write an unbiased news story about the oral arguments. Try to use the traditional lead paragraph that answers who, what, where, when, etc. You may ask the lawyer’s questions about what happened after the oral arguments are over. You may NOT interview the Justices about the case; this does not happen in real life. You will include the decision of the justices in your story. In a clearly labeled separate paragraph, give your own opinion about how this case should be decided, and why. Total: 1000 words
DUE DATE FOR ARTICLES AND REFLECTIONS:
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
THIS PACKET MUST BE COMPLETED AND TURNED IN WITH THE WRITING ACTIVITY.
WRITING ACTIVITY: 30 POINTS
PACKET: 20 POINTS
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