1	The Judiciary Federal courts: 1.District courts-94 in 50 states, 300,000 cases,665 judges, a final decision of a district court is reviewable by a court of appeals 2. Courts of appeals-13 judicial circuits, 50,000 appeals, 179 judges, the authority to review decisions of the district courts, less than 1 percent of the cases from these courts are looked at carefully by the Supreme Court
2	The politics of judicial selection The Senate: advice and consent Senate Judiciary Committee A candidate’s political orientation is the major factor in determining how he or she will vote on the cases that come before the court FDR, Eisenhower, and Reagan was able to appoint a majority of the federal bench during their tenure
3	The role of judicial philosophy Is related to political ideology and is a good predictor of how an individual judge will behave Does not equate to judicial activism or judicial restraint The Supreme Court’s role today is more about competing conceptions of the proper balance between government authority and individual rights
4	Reforming the selection process Changing the number-increase the number of federal judgeships Changing the jurisdiction In 1937, FDR’s underlying motive in wanting to change the size of the Supreme Court was to ensue New Deal legislation would not be declared unconstitutional- Court Packing Scheme
5	How the Supreme Court operates A discretionary court The crucial factor in determining whether the Court will hear a case is its importance to the operation of the governmental system as a whole The Court accepts cases under the rule of four
6	Powers of the chief justice Appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate and holds tenure Ability to influence the Court has varied Chief Justice Warren Burger’s retirement gave Reagan the chance to appoint a conservative William Rehnquist-today John Roberts Justice Sandra Day O’Connor was the first female appointed to the Court Supreme Court Justices
7	Operations Two weeks for oral arguments-30 minute speaking limit for attorneys, justices can interrupt lawyers for any reason Two weeks the Court adjourns-the conference-Chief Justice Six justices must participate in each decision
8	Opinions Assigning opinions: When voting with the majority, the chief justice decides who drafts the opinion When the chief justice is in the minority, the senior justice among the majority makes the assignment Dissenting opinions-opinions disagreeing with the decision of the Court Concurring opinions-opinions that agree with the decision of the Court, but differ on the reasoning Circulating drafts Releasing opinions to the public