Supreme Court Cases: You Make the Decision

Task

The Supreme Court, the highest court in the U.S., examines federal and state statutes and executive actions to determine whether they conform to the U.S. Constitution. Since its beginnings, the Supreme Court has ruled on cases that support, and sometimes challenge or broadly interpret, parts of the Constitution.

 

Process

RESOURCES:

Follow the links below to gather the necessary information for your oral presentation. Links for all 7 possible case choices are provided.

 

RENO V. ACLU (free speech in cyberspace)

http://www.oyez.org/cases/1990-1999/1996/1996_96_511 

http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=US&vol=000&invol=96-511

http://www.aclu.org/technology-and-liberty/feature-reno-v-aclu-i-battle-over-cda

http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0521_0844_ZS.html

 

DESHANEY V. WINNEBAGO COUNTY (child abuse)

http://www.oyez.org/cases/1980-1989/1988/1988_87_154

http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=US&vol=489&invol=189

http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0489_0189_ZS.html

 

COHEN V. CALIFORNIA (vulgar speech)

http://www.oyez.org/cases/1970-1979/1970/1970_299/

http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0403_0015_ZS.html

http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/cohen.html

 

GREGG V. GEORGIA (capital punishment) 

http://www.oyez.org/cases/1970-1979/1975/1975_74_6257

http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=us&vol=428&invol=153

http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0428_0153_ZS.html

http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/gregg.html

 

REGENTS V. BAKKE (reverse discrimination) 

http://www.oyez.org/cases/1970-1979/1977/1977_76_811

http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cgi-bin/getcase.pl?court=US&vol=438&invol=265

http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0438_0265_ZS.html

http://www.landmarkcases.org/bakke/home.html

 

BARNES V. GLENN THEATRE (nude dancing) 

http://www.oyez.org/cases/1990-1999/1990/1990_90_26

http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/90-26.ZS.html

http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=us&vol=501&invol=560

 

TEXAS V. JOHNSON (flag burning)

http://www.oyez.org/cases/1980-1989/1988/1988_88_155/

http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=US&vol=491&invol=397

http://www.landmarkcases.org/texas/home.html

http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0491_0397_ZO.html

 

 

PROCESS:

 

1) After your group has been approved to report on a certain case, go to the links

      above that correspond to your case. Review them and get a feel for where

      certain pieces of information can be found.

 

2) Locate all information required for your oral presentation - use the "Task" section

      to see what you have to look up. Divide up the work fairly evenly amongst the

      group.  Make sure you know the case well enough to answer any instructor or

      class questions after your presentation.

 

3) Construct note cards or a PowerPoint presentation to serve as a guide for your

      oral presentation.  Please keep in mind that all group members must speak and

      avoid merely reading off of note cards or PowerPoint slides.

 

4) On your assigned day, come prepared to deliever your oral presentation.  After

      your presentation is complete, you will be asked to fill out a self evaluation

      sheet as well as an evaluation sheet for each of your group members. 

      Examples of these, along with how you will be graded can be found in the

      "Evaluation" section.

Evaluation

1 2 3 4 5
use of class time wasted all class time given seldom used time wisely

used about half of class wisely

 used most class time wisely Maximized all class time
Preparedness made no effort made very little effort somewhat prepared adeqautely prepared superbly prepared
Ability to analyze sources no ability demonstrated very little ability some ability analyzed sources correctly Analylzed sources in depth

VERY POOR POOR ADEQUATE EXEMPLARY SCORE
PART 1 FACTS OF THE CASE MISSING FACTS OR FACTSD THAT ARE GIVEN MAY BE INCORRECT MISSING FACTS. FACTS THAT RE GIVEN ARE ALL CORRECT ALL FACTS ARE GIVEN, MAY CONTAIN INACCURACIES ALL FACTS ARE GIVEN AND ARE CORREC
PART 2 QUESTION THE COURT MUST ANSWER makes an incorrect attempt to describe the question. Does not attempt to answer the question  an incorrect attempt to describe the questionthat is loosely connected to the Constitution. Correctly describes most aspects of the question and most of the connection(s) to the Constitution Question is described in full detail and an accurate connection to the Constitution is made
PART 3 BOTH SIDES OF THE CASE Incorrectly addresses one side of the case with no reference to the Constitution Addresses both sides of thr case, may contain inaccuracies. No reference to the constitution Addresses both sides of the case and references the Constitution for both. May contain some inaccuracies Correctly addresses both sides of the case and references the Constitution for both.
PART 4 FACTS OF THE DECISION Givesa simple 1 sentence summary of the ruling Gives a count of votes each way, attempts to address either the majority or minority opinion. Gives a count of votes each way and names Justices. Addresses eithe r the majority or minority opinion correctly. Gives a count of votes each way and names justices. Addresses both majority and minority opinions.
PERT 5 YOUR DECISION Gives a simple 1 sentence summary of the decision Gives a count of the votes, attempots to refernce theConstitution but does so incorrectly Gives a count of thre votes and names. Makes a correct but loose reference to the constitution. Gives a count of voted and Names. Makes a detailed reference to the constitution.