| Instructions for the Supreme Court Simulation |
| I. We'll need 3 groups: 1) The Justices of the Supreme Court (9 of you) 2) Attorneys for the Petitioner 3) Attorneys for the Respondent II. Once I've divided you into each group, you'll get ready to do your part for the sim. -Supreme Court Justices: -Appoint a Chief Justice -Review the briefs for the petitioner and the respondent -Prepare the questions you'd like to ask each side. -Attorneys: Review your side's brief(s). Study them carefully, and know your precedent cases well. III. When the actual sim begins, we'll do the following: 1) The Petitioners will go first, presenting their case to the Supreme Court and taking their questions. 2) Petitioners will have 30 minutes. They may reserve up to 15 of that 30 minutes for rebuttal. 3) Respondents go next, presenting their case and answering questions from the Court. They have 30 minutes. 4) Petitioners do their rebuttal, if applicable, outlining the problems in the Respondents. The Court won't ask any questions. 5) THE ENTIRE THING WILL LAST NO LONGER THAN 60 MINUTES! 6) When both sides are done, the Court will adjourn in the hall and deliberate. Once they're done, the Chief Justice will take a final vote, noting the majority, concurring, and dissenting opinions. IV. You will be graded on the following: -ATTORNEYS: You'll have an individual performance grade and a group grade, based on what I see you do in preparation and during argument. -JUSTICES: You'll also have an individual grade and a group grade, based on your demonstrated knowledge of the case and the strength of your written opinions. THE CASE LINKS YOU NEED WILL BE BELOW: THE CASE IS SAFFORD UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT #1 V. REDDING! The documents you'll need are here: The Petitioner's Brief The Respondent's Brief The Argument Transcript before the real court A shortened discussion of the whole case |