Judicial4



media type="custom" key="7086927"Kagen sworn in as Supreme Court Justice - In this video, Elena Kagen is sworn in as the third female Associate Justice of the Supreme Court by Chief Justice John Roberts. While the Court will not start until the first Monday in October, Kagen will begin her work on the Court as soon as she is sworn in. As we discussed in class, the Justices of the Supreme Court are very powerful, very prestigious, and the final authority on the Constitution and the federal laws of the United States. Justice Kagen was appointed by President Obama and confirmed by the Senate, an example of checks and balances. ** Chuck T ** ** Obama requests Supreme Court fight on health care reform **  **http://swampland.time.com/2011/09/27/why-obama-wants-a-supreme-court-fight-on-health-reform-in-2012/**  This late September, the Obama administration decided to not have a full review of the ObamaCare issue by appeals courts, and instead send it directly to Supreme Court. This is a risky but potentially profitable decision for the White House in the struggle over health care reform. This decision was made because, firstly, the White House did not think it would survive if Judges reconsidered the case again. The hearing may have also slowed the case down considerably, allowing for more debate time which could not be in favor of Obama. There are many pros and cons to sending the process directly to Supreme Court. This refers to what we discussed in class because the president has power over the Judicial branch of government, and also references the presidents power of chief legislator, enabling the ability to make laws and review them. **Max L**

[|Defense to begin in Connecticut family murder, sex assault case] Accused of killing and raping three people, Komisarjevsky, a 31-year old man will probably face the death penalty. Prosecutors say that he is one of two men who entered a Dr. William Petit's home and raped and killed Petit's wife and two daughters, 17 and 11. They tied Dr. Petit to a pole in the basement, but he managed to escape the home before the two men set fire to the house, killing the three women. Dr. Petit went for help, but was too late. This effects the Judicial Branch because the case will be heard in front of a court and judge and interpreted. Then, a final decision will be made by the judge. ** -Ibrahim Khan ** [] This article has to do with a man accused of murdering his girlfriends son. They think his crime could result in the death penalty, but they are debating weather or not it is. The judges declared a mistrial on Alex (the killer), but he was re-tried for more extreme crimes, but the trial was post poned. -Rebecca B http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/10/11/the-clues-that-led-to-james-whitey-bulgers-capture/?iref=allsearch

This article is about the capture of James "Whitey" Bulger. He has been on the run for over 16 years and on the FBI's 10 most wanted list. Now him and his girlfriend are awaiting trial. They have both pleaded not guilty. The judge interprets what happened and what evidence has been brought to them. -Julia R [] Obamacare continues through the judicial branch, but is checked at the appeals court. Is Obamacare unconstituional, indeed? -Michael S.