Cornell University
Cornell University: Law School: In Re Gault
The full text of the Supreme Court opinion, delivered by Mr. Justice Fortas, which reversed the judgement in the 1967 Arizona case against 15-year old Gerald Gault.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: History of the Constitution
This history of the American Constitution discusses how the Constitution served as a basis for inspiring and regulating laws made across the nation.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Article Iii: Federal State Courts Relations
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...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Democracy in America: The Courts: Our Rule of Law
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.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Annotation 10: Sixth Amendment: Assistance to Council
This article uses specific court cases to show how the right to counsel at trial was developed into the present day standard.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Newsmaker Profiles: Samuel A. Alito, Jr.
Extensive information about Samuel Alito, his background, opinions in cases, background documents, and other resources.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Supreme Court Justices: John Jay
A biography of the first Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court and author of some of the Federalist Papers.
iCivics
I Civics: Anatomy of the Constitution
This lesson gives an article-by-article overview of the structure and function of the U.S. Constitution. Students learn about the duties and powers of the three branches, the amendment process, and the role of the Constitution as the...
Cornell University
Cornell University: Law School: Original Jurisdiction What Does It Mean?
This brief article explains the concept of original jurisdiction, especially in terms of the U.S. Supreme Court. There are links in the article to actual cases.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Constitution: Article Iii: Annotations
This resource discusses both the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and the appellate jurisdiction of the lower federal courts. There are hypertext links to related materials.
Other
Canadian Legal Fa Qs: Charter of Rights and Freedoms Fa Qs
By answering some important questions about the role of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms in the court system, this resource gives insight to the multiple ways the Charter impacts Canadians and the role the Supreme Court has in...
PBS
Pbs News Hour: The Confirmation Process
As part of NewsHour's "The John Roberts Confirmation" site, a chart that describes the confirmation process for the U.S. Supreme Court.
Library of Congress
Loc: Sonia Sotomayor
Sonia Sotomayor was nominated to the United States Supreme Court by Barack Obama in June of 2009, and confirmed in August of 2009. Official documents and articles related to Sontomayor can be accessed through the links provided here....
PBS
Pbs News Hour: Assessing the Alito Nomination
Transcript, audio, and video of an October, 2005 report discussing previous rulings and stances taken by U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito.
PBS
Pbs News Hour: John Roberts' First Day
A very telling report of Chief Justice John Roberts' first day in the Supreme Court. Transcript, audio, and video are available of this interesting report.
PBS
Pbs News Hour: The John Roberts Confirmation
Brilliant site that contains a plethora of resources related to John Roberts, the confirmation process, and Supreme Court. Find video and audio of his confirmation. Other resources include a biography and lesson plans.
PBS
Pbs News Hour: Senate Confirms Samuel Alito
The confirmation of U.S. Supreme Court Justice, with particular emphasis on the fight in the Senate, is highlighted in this report from January, 2006. A transcript, audio, and video are available.
PBS
Pbs News Hour: Alito Appearance Marks Shift in Court
An interesting discussion on Justice Samuel Alito's first day and what his presence on the Supreme Court will mean. Transcript, audio, video, and a link to analysis of the arguments he heard on his first day are included.
Digital History
Digital History: Plessy v. Ferguson
A very thorough explanation of the famous Supreme Court decision about Plessy v. Ferguson. It upheld the idea of "separate but equal," which was in effect until Brown v Board of Education in 1954. See who opposed the decision, and read...
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Supreme Court Justices: David Souter
Good biographical site about Justice David H. Souter, summarizing his achievements and including links to other related articles.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Supreme Court Justices: Anthony Kennedy
Good summary of Justice Anthony Kennedy and his accomplishments. Includes a photo and links to other related articles.
iCivics
I Civics: u.s. V. Nixon (1974)
This mini-lesson covers the basics of the Supreme Court's decision that then-sitting President Nixon had to turn over some recordings of his presidential communications to a court of law. Learners learn about the Watergate break-in, the...
iCivics
I Civics: Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
This mini-lesson covers the basics of the Supreme Court's decision that overturned "separate but equal" in public schools. Students learn about segregation and "equality under the law," and they use what they learned to craft compound...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Separate No Longer?
An explantion of how the Supreme Court decision in Brown v Board of Education of Topeka turned the concept of separate but equal on its head. See how they determined that the 14th Amendment was being violated when schools did not fund...