Detailed Notes on Constitutional Amendments and the Court System

Eleventh Amendment

• Overview: First amendment to the U.S. Constitution, aimed at correcting issues from the early judiciary.
• Key Points:
  • Prevents individuals from suing states in federal court unless the state consents.
  • Example scenario: An Alabama resident attempting to sue Georgia must do so in Georgia courts.
  • Origin: Response to individuals not receiving payments owed by states after the American Revolution.

Eighteenth Amendment (Prohibition)

• Overview: Enacted in 1919, sought to prohibit the manufacturing, sale, and transport of alcohol in the U.S.
• Context: Reflected concerns over alcohol as a public health issue.
• Notable Impact:
  • Led to a surge in organized crime and illegal alcohol production (bootlegging).
  • Introduced the term scofflaw for those who disregarded prohibition laws.
• Repercussions: Prohibition resulted in a cultural shift towards increased alcohol consumption during the Roaring Twenties.

Twenty-First Amendment

• Overview: Repealed the Eighteenth Amendment in 1933, allowing states to regulate alcohol laws.
• Significance: Only amendment that rescinds another amendment.
• Modern Context: Some counties remain dry, with local laws governing alcohol sales (e.g., dry vs. wet counties).

Structure of the U.S. Court System

• Judicial Power: Vested in one Supreme Court and inferior courts as established by Congress.
• Federal Courts: Include district courts (trial level) and circuit courts (appeals).
  • District Courts: e.g., Alabama has three federal district courts.
  • Circuit Courts: 13 total; Alabama is in the Eleventh Circuit.
• Supreme Court: Final appellate jurisdiction; requires four justices to hear a case (Rule of Four) and five for a decision.

State Courts vs. Federal Courts

• State Courts: Handle most legal disputes (99%).
• Federal Courts: Jurisdiction in cases involving federal laws and constitutional issues. Examples include violations of rights and federal crimes.
• Concurrent Jurisdiction: If a case falls under the jurisdiction of both state and federal courts, it can be moved to federal court if it meets the threshold (e.g., claim exceeds $75,000).

Important Legal Concepts

• Standing: The necessity for actual harm or direct impact to sue.
  • Example: A potential guest inquiring about wheelchair access must book to have standing.
• Mootness: Cases that are no longer relevant (e.g., a parole denial resolved before the court hears the case).

Landmark Cases in Constitutional History

• Marbury v. Madison: Established the principle of judicial review.
• Brown v. Mississippi: Notable for establishing due process as a constitutional right, thereby impacting civil rights.
• U.S. v. Nixon: Centered on executive privilege within the scope of facilitating accountability and justice.

Jurisdiction Cases and Examples

• Interstate Legal Issues: Degree of complexity increases when dealing with crimes committed across state lines, potentially shifting cases to federal courts.
  • Example: Assassination across state lines becomes a federal case.
• Treaties: Jurisdiction in federal courts when state laws conflict with federal law regarding treaties.

Conclusion and Next Steps

• Review Content: Focus on the implications of the eleventh amendment, prohibition, the judicial structure, key concepts like standing and mootness, and landmark cases.
• Preparation for Quiz: Next topic to cover is bureaucracy (Chapters 14 and 15).