So What Does It All Mean?

Interpreting the Constitution—The Supreme Court

--Below is a list of cases that deal with the Supreme Court’s interpretation of a specific issue. With a partner, you will select TWO cases and produce a PowerPoint presentation FOR EACH CASE (4 slides per case) that explains the

1) [1st SLIDE] Title of the case AND year

2) [2nd SLIDE] What are the facts of the case? (2 points)

3) [3rd SLIDE] What is the important question that the Court addressed? (3 points)

4) [4th SLIDE] What was the Court’s conclusion in the case? What did they decide? (3 points)

5) [LAST SLIDE] Provide us with a single bulleted point that tells us what this decision means. (2 points)

Example: “Miranda v. Arizona found that every person must be made aware of their legal rights upon arrest”

6) You will then present your findings to your classmates in class. (5 points)

7) Create a scenario for your classmates based on your case—see box below. (5 points)

To assist you, go to:

http://www.oyez.org (Unless otherwise noted below)

Use the search box at the top of that page to find your case—type it in CAREFULLY. Oyez will help you figure out #1-3 above. You will have to provide an answer to #4 on your own.

ISSUE: Sixth Amendment—A Fair Trial

--Public Trial

· Sheppard v. Maxwell (1966)

· Gannett Co. v. DePasquale (1979)

· Richmond Newspapers Inc. v. Virginia (1980)

--Impartial Jury

· Batson v. Kentucky (1986)

· J.E.B. v. Alabama ex rel T.B. (1994)

--Right to Confront Witnesses

· Maryland v. Craig (1990)

--Right to Counsel

· Escobedo v. Illinois (1964)

· Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

SIXTH AMENDMENT: “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.”