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A Dual Court System
INTRODUCTION
The United States
is known to have an exceptional judicial system. Her system is comprised of two main court
systems--the federal court system and the state court system. The purpose of
this web quest is to help students become familiar with both of these systems and the
laws on which they are based.
THE TASK
By the end of this web quest
students should have completed following activities.
THE PROCESS
Complete each of the following questions/activities by clicking on each
worksheet link and printing the corresponding worksheets. You will complete
each of these worksheets by using the sites provided. Be sure to answer each
question thoroughly and write neatly. When finished with the entire web quest, hand
worksheets into your
instructor.
Step One
The supreme law of America is the United States Constitution. Study this site
and answer the following questions
worksheet one
U.S
Constitution
Step Two
A little more in depth searching
will be needed to complete
worksheet #2 on the Federal
and State court systems, but it can be done!
Federal Court System
http://www.law.cornell.edu/topics/federal_courts.html
http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/scales/court.html
Pennsylvania Court System
http://www.courts.state.pa.us/Index/DJ/IndexDJ.asp
http://www.courts.state.pa.us/Index/UJS/Indexujs.asp
http://www.lawdog.com/states/pa/courtm.htm
Step Three
Perhaps the best way to see America's court system in action
is to view actual cases! Use the following sites to summarize three cases
that occurred in the United States Federal or State Courts. When the
three cases you wish to use are found print and complete
worksheet #3 .
(Some digging to find cases of interest will be required. The first
site is perhaps the most user friendly but feel free to explore all of
them!)
Case Law
Court TV
School Law
Flite-Supreme Court Decisions
Evaluation
You will be evaluated based on how thoroughly and accurately
each question is completed. When finished turn in the following items:
- Worksheet #1 U.S. Constitution:
15pts
- Worksheet #2 Federal and State Court Systems:
15pts.
- Worksheet #3 Case Summaries (3 total):
45pts.
- Neatness and following directions:
10pts.
TOTAL: 85pts.
CONCLUSION
While there is still a lot to learn, this web quest was a fun way
to introduce America's Judicial System. Remember, learning does not have to stop
here. Discover the sources of information that are out
there...keep exploring, there are many just waiting to be found!
This
webpage was adapted from
Maureen Montgomery's web quest web page
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