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...
Activity
Scholastic

Scholastic: John Doe in a u.s. Court

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This site from Scholastic provides a well-written essay describes the federal court system and its jurisdiction including the '7 steps in justice.'
Primary
Thomson Reuters

Find Law: u.s. Supreme Court: Escobedo v. Illinois (1964)

For Students 9th - 10th
A detailed description of the United States Supreme Court decision on the appeal of the case Escobedo v. Illinois, which ruled on the right to have counsel under the 6th and 14th Amendments to the Constitution.
Handout
Illinois Institute of Technology

The Oyez Project: Katz v. United States

For Students 9th - 10th
Katz v. United States altered the meaning of the 4th Amendment, the right to search and seizure, appealing his case in 1967 regarding the investigator's use of electronic surveillance. Oyez features the facts and recordings from the...
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.
Handout
Other

Landmark Cases: Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

For Students 9th - 10th
Lesson plans, activities, and information all about this key Supreme Court decision that protected the rights of the accused. These became known as the "Miranda Warnings." Included is a background summary, excerpts and the complete text...
Handout
Other

Landmark Cases: Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

For Students 9th - 10th
A fantastic teacher resource site for helping students explore the main issues of the landmark case of Tinker v. Des Moines. It includes background summaries, excerpts of opinions, activities, and in-depth lessons.
Activity
Thomson Reuters

Find Law: Supreme Court Filing Guide

For Students 9th - 10th
This site contains pertinent information needed when filing a case with the Supreme Court without legal representation. This page provides links to information about the filing time, what forms to file, page limitations, and others.
Website
Social Studies for Kids

Social Studies for Kids: The Supreme Court

For Students 9th - 10th
The Supreme Court is the highest in the land. It has nine members and decides whether laws are unconstitutional. It handles appeals from federal courts or state supreme courts. Learn more about how it works and some famous Justices.
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.
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Appellate Courts: Let's Take It Up

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students learn what happens in appellate-level courts and how those courts operate differently from the trial courts most people are familiar with from watching television. They find out what happens when someone takes a case all the way...
Handout
Other

Law School help.com: Palsgraf v. Long Island R. Co.

For Students 9th - 10th
This website provides information on the New York court case "Palsgraf v. Long Island Railroad Company." Learn about the events that led to the trial as well as the outcome of the case.
Handout
Cornell University

Cornell University: Law School: Texas v. Johnson

For Students 9th - 10th
During the 1984 Republican National Convention, respondent Johnson participated in a political demonstration to protest the policies of the Reagan administration and some Dallas-based corporations. After a march through the city streets,...
Website
Other

History of the Federal Judiciary

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Incredibly in-depth site regarding the history of the federal judiciary. Well organized, easy to navigate, and crisply arranged, this site can be used for many lessons. The accuracy of the information is very reliable since its author...
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
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Palsgraf v. Long Island Railroad Co.

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about the New York Court of Appeals case "Palsgraf v. Long Island Railroad Co." (1928), the events that led up to the case, the final verdict, and how this case affected the legal system.
Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Judicial Branch in a Flash!

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this lesson, students learn the basics of our judicial system, including the functions of the trial court, the Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court. They also learn how a case moves up through these levels and discover that these...
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Dred Scott v. Sandford

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from the Encyclopedia Wikipedia provides information on the Dred Scott case, as it progressed through the Missouri state court, the Federal court system, and the appeal that went to the Supreme Court.