The Judicial Branch

The judicial branch includes the nation’s courts, whose job it is to ensure the government follows the law. Courts also settle disagreements between different groups, and the Supreme Court has the final word in settling disagreements about what the U.S. Constitution means! Here you’ll get to see if you can argue like a lawyer or make fair decisions like a judge.

Resources cover the structure and function of the courts, including the federal and state court systems and the legal issues that they address.

 

Lesson Plans Games Web Quests
We have a variety of lesson plans designed to fit your classroom.
All Plans
Trial Court "Go Fish"
Summary:
Here, iCivics presents a judicial variation of the classic card game "Go Fish!" Students use a write-on courtroom game board and play with cards that show the people involved in a...
Concepts:
Role of judge, jury, lawyers, and other trial participants; civil v. criminal cases; process of a trial
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Appellate Courts: Let's Take It Up
Summary:
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. By following the case of a...
Concepts:
Levels of the court system; courts of appeal; U.S. Supreme Court; legal precedent; oral arguments
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Interpreting the Constitution: What Does That Mean?
Summary:
Students learn that the rights in the Bill of Rights have no exact definition and are open to interpretation (by the Supreme Court, of course).  Students look at real-life cases involving the...
Concepts:
Bill of Rights; constitutional interpretation; role of Supreme Court
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Court Quest Court Quest In Court Quest, people from around the country need your help to navigate our court system. Listen carefully to each case, so you can guide them to the right place!
We The Jury We The Jury Have fun deciding a tough case while learning about what jurors discuss in the deliberation room.
Do I Have a Right? Do I Have a Right? In Do I Have A Right?, you’ll run your own firm of lawyers who specialize in constitutional law.
Argument Wars Argument Wars Ever tried to win a disagreement? In Argument Wars, you will try out your persuasive abilities by arguing a real Supreme Court case.
Supreme Decision Supreme Decision Ever wondered how the Supreme Court really works? In Supreme Decision, you help cast the deciding vote.
In the Courts
In the Courts

Our Judicial Branch has a big job! Do you think you have what it takes to be a judge and get the job done? 

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The Courts in a Nutshell
The Courts in a Nutshell

Where does the court system's power come from? Where should you take your case? What happens if you want to appeal? These are important questions, and we've got the answers!

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You be the Judge!
You be the Judge!

After learning about real Supreme Court justices, you'll get to try out deciding some of the hardest cases they have had to figure out! See if you can do it.

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