Changes

1.  A friend of yours wants to become a federal judge.  Will your friend have to campaign to be elected?  In two sentences, explain the process for becoming a federal judge.

1.  A friend of yours wants to become a federal judge.  Will your friend have to campaign to be elected?  In two sentences, explain the process for becoming a federal judge.

2.  How many federal district courts are there, and how many federal courts of appeals?

2.  How many federal district courts are there, and how many [[federal]] courts of appeals?

3.  The Supreme Court receives enormous attention, but what percentage of the cases does it actually accept to resolve?  Describe the criteria the Supreme Court uses in deciding whether to accept a case.

3.  The Supreme Court receives enormous attention, but what percentage of the cases does it actually accept to resolve?  Describe the criteria the Supreme Court uses in deciding whether to accept a case.

4.  All nine justices on the Supreme Court have an equal vote in deciding the cases.  But the Chief Justice has one extra power.  What is it?

4.  All nine justices on the [[Supreme Court]] have an equal vote in deciding the cases.  But the [[Chief Justice]] has one extra power.  What is it?

5.  Suppose our political attempts to gain access for homeschoolers to public school activities (bands, sports) have been unsuccessful.  We then decide to litigate the issue.  What types of claims would we need to raise in order to file a lawsuit in federal court?  Give one or two specific examples of claims we might raise.

5.  Suppose our political attempts to gain access for [[homeschoolers]] to public [[school]] activities (bands, [[sports]]) have been unsuccessful.  We then decide to litigate the issue.  What types of claims would we need to raise in order to file a lawsuit in federal court?  Give one or two specific examples of claims we might raise.

6.  Read the article in the handout entitled “Ninth Circuit Pulls Over Mexican Trucks.”  This decision was by the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.  The government is now attempting to persuade the Supreme Court to review the case.  Would you grant cert.?  If yes, how would you decide it?  Explain.

6.  Read the article in the handout entitled “Ninth Circuit Pulls Over Mexican [[Trucks]].”  This decision was by the [[Court of Appeals]] for the [[Ninth Circuit]].  The [[government]] is now attempting to persuade the Supreme Court to review the case.  Would you grant cert.?  If yes, how would you decide it?  Explain.

7.  Judges have immunity against lawsuits for their mistakes and unjustified rulings.  Should citizens be able to sue judges personally?  Explain.

7.  [[Judges]] have immunity against lawsuits for their mistakes and unjustified rulings.  Should [[citizens]] be able to sue judges personally?  Explain.

8. Suppose a new federal judge in Southern California announced that he will render all his decisions only in Spanish.  Do you object to this?  Explain, citing the Constitution if possible.

8. Suppose a new federal judge in Southern [[California]] announced that he will render all his decisions only in Spanish.  Do you object to this?  Explain, citing the Constitution if possible.

9.  In New Jersey, like the federal government and a few other states, state judges are appointed rather than elected.  Which do you prefer, elected or appointed judges?  Explain your view.

9.  In [[New Jersey]], like the federal government and a few other states, state judges are appointed rather than elected.  Which do you prefer, elected or appointed judges?  Explain your view.

Extra credit (for 5 points):

Extra credit (for 5 points):