The Judicial Branch

American Government
Ms. Moriarity
What do judges use to make their decisions,
or what do they base their decision on?
o Please circle any laws or previous courts you have on
your list.
What is the point of the
Judicial Branch?
Please complete the
question above in at least
5 sentences. Remember
to think about checks and
balances to get a
complete answer.
Interpreting the Law
Every case will
involve at least 1 law.
The judge determines
what the law means
and applies it to the
facts of the current
case.
Precedent
Laws are to be interpreted in a consistent
manner.
Previous cases are studied to see how the law
was previously studied.
o These previous cases = Precedent
o Link
Judicial Independence
Judges are free to
decide cases
impartially
Constitution
Legislative and
Executive branches
chosen by public.
Federal judges are
not
o To protect minority
interests.
Judicial Accountability
Judicial disciplinary process
o judges have a code of conduct they are expected to
follow
Federal judges can only be removed from
office through impeachment
State judges may be removed
from office
Complaints of state judges
Commission of lawyers,
judges, and citizens
determine a judges
wrongdoing.
o If violated, decide upon
disciplinary actions
o May be reprimanded,
suspended, fined, or
removed from office