Activity
Thomson Reuters

Find Law: Article Iii: Federal State Courts Relations

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource shows the relationship between the Federal and State Courts as stated in Article III of the U.S. Constitution. This annotated text details issues like problems raised by concurrency, autonomy of state courts, and rules of...
Activity
Other

Federal Judicial Center: Inside the Federal Courts

For Students 9th - 10th
A fantastic overview of the federal court system of the United States can be found here. Read about what the federal courts do, the difference between federal and state courts, the types of cases handled by federal courts, the structure...
Website
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Courts of Appeals and District Courts

For Students 9th - 10th
Overview of the structure and purpose of the Courts of Appeals and District Courts.
Handout
PBS

Wnet: Thirteen: The Supreme Court: Majority Rules

For Students 9th - 10th
Highlights four Supreme Court cases that dealt with the balance of federal and state power. In each case the majority opinion is given but might not be what is expected.
Website
Other

United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims

For Students 9th - 10th
A comprehensive resource that provides background information and opinions of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Includes links to downloadable forms.
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: The Judicial Branch

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
Learners will learn about the federal and state courts and what they do. They will explore the courts' role in fairly settling disputes and administering justice, and the unique role of the U.S. Supreme Court in interpreting the U.S....
Activity
Thomson Reuters

Find Law: Jurisdiction of Federal Courts

For Students 9th - 10th
This site describes the jurisdiction of the Federal Court system. The site breaks the court's jurisdiction into three main areas of institutional conflict: Federal Restraint of State Courts by Injunctions, Habeas Corpus: Scope of the...
Website
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Democracy in America: The Courts: Our Rule of Law

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This unit provides a comprehensive look into the value of the U.S. court system as a means to maintain the safety of American citizens. Offers video, readings, web resources, and activities.
Article
Center For Civic Education

Center for Civic Education: Relationship of State and National Legal Systems

For Students 9th - 10th
This lengthy essay describes the balance between state and federal judiciary courts and touches on independence, integration, power limits and immunities.
Website
Other

Ccja: Guide to the Federal and Texas Bill of Rights and Individual Freedoms

For Students 9th - 10th
This guide contains excerpts and annotation for four historical government documents: the Federal Bill of Rights, the United States Constitution, the current United States Supreme Court Justices, and the Bill of Rights from the Texas...
Article
Lectric Law Library

Lectric Law Library: Understanding the Federal Courts

For Students 9th - 10th
This document provides an overview of the organization, operation, and administration of the entire federal court system. The article gives information on the federal judicial branch, the state and federal courts, the structure of the...
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs: How the Supreme Court Affects the Lives of Teens (Lesson Plan)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Objectives for this lesson include describing the structure and function of the Supreme Court, looking at important decisions, and discussing recent rulings and issues.
Website
Other

The Federal Judiciary: Faq

For Students 9th - 10th
Frequently asked questions about the federal judiciary, including judges, the court system, filing a case, jurors, the judicial conference, and employment opportunities.
Handout
Thomson Reuters

Find Law: History of the Supreme Court

For Students 9th - 10th
This site gives insight into both the creation of the U.S. Supreme Court as well as its transformation to its present state. Throughout the text links can be found which lead to various Supreme Court topics and information.
Website
Other

Streetlaw: Introduction to Law and the Legal System

For Students 9th - 10th
This website, a unit introducing the law and legal system, is organized into six chapters where you can learn about laws, lawmaking, citizen advocacy, dispute settlements, the court system, and lawyers.
Activity
Cato Institute

Cato Institute: Dewey J. Jones vs. the United States [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Brief of a court case where the petitioner argues that the Commerce Clause does not authorize Congress to make the arson of a private residence a federal crime, as it is already a state crime, and that police powers are assigned to the...
Activity
Cato Institute

Cato Institute: Congress, the Courts, and the Constitution [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
An analysis of the conflicting views on the fundamental role of the government of the United States, specifically on the relationship between the different branches of the federal government, and what the Cato Institute regards as their...
Interactive
US Mint

United States Mint: Branches of Power

For Students 3rd - 8th
Save the federal government from Oppressor Sam, and learn about the US Constitution to restore the three branches of government.
Article
University of Groningen

American History: Essays: The Iron Horse: Federal Intervention in Pullman

For Students 9th - 10th
From a lengthy essay on the history of the railroad in the United States. This section describes President Grover Cleveland's role in sending federal troops to suppress the Pullman boycott, resulting in increased chaos from the...
Article
University of Groningen

American History: Essays: Politics and Sectionalism: Scott Versus Sandford

For Students 9th - 10th
Outlines what happened with the Dred Scott case as it was passed on from the local state court all the way up to the federal Supreme Court, with a final decision being reached in 1857.
Activity
Other

Understanding the Federal Courts

For Students 9th - 10th
A ten part publication which describes the federal court system, its structure and organization, what types of cases they hear and much more. You can also download a PDF version of the document.
Graphic
Other

Us District Courts

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a comprehensive government site that links you to all of the district courts in the United States. It is easy to navigate and find necessary information. The large map helps you locate the district of your choice.
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Trial and Appeal Infographic

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Most cases start and end in trial court, but what if there's an error? Show students how a case works its way up in this printable infographic for your classroom.
Primary
Thomson Reuters

Find Law: u.s. Supreme Court: u.s. V. Butler (1936)

For Students 9th - 10th
This Supreme Court case dealt with provisions of the Agricultural Adjustment Act conflicting with the Federal Constitution. Read the complete text of the court's opinions and decision. Registration for a free Findlaw account may be...

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