BUSINESS LAW AND THE SUPREME COURT
Part 1
www.oyez.org
Overview:
Business Law is part of commerce and as such is essential to disputes that arise in everyday transactions between consumers and business. This activity examines cases that can not be settled without litigation—litigation that involves the highest court in the land—the Supreme Court.
Objectives:
1) To explore a website dedicated to upholding the First Amendment to the Constitution.
2) To apply basic knowledge of law terminology to cases settled in the Supreme Court.
Standard:
MSBCS-BCSIII-9 Students will examine basics of business law.
Essential Questions:
1) What do I know about the Supreme Court Justice system?
2) How can a business be impacted by precedents?
3) How can I apply “stare decisis” to court cases?
Instructions:
A. Log on to the www.oyez.org website. Before completing the table on the opposite side of this sheet, take out a sheet of paper and answer the following questions. Make sure your name and class period is on your paper. Answer in a complete sentence using correct grammar and punctuation. If you wish, you may key your answers in a Word document.
1. What is the Oyez website all about? What does the word “Oyez” mean?
2. Is the word Oyez covered by a trademark? What restrictions are involved if one wishes to use the material on this website?
3. Who is in charge of the Supreme Court? What article of the US constitution governs the Supreme Court? How long does a justice serve? Why do you think this is so?
4. What is the address for sending mail to a Supreme Court justice?
5. What is the yearly salary for a Supreme Court justice? Are there any other perks?
6. What is meant by “class action?”
7. Based on the case involving “United States versus the Cleveland Indians” decided in April of 2001, what was the outcome of the litigation? Did the Cleveland Indians owners have to pay FICA and FUTA taxes (Remember FICA taxes are a percentage of gross earnings and is subject to change? In this case, it went up) in the year the back pay was owed, or the year the back pay was paid? What was the legal provision?
B. Read the court cases you have received (or go to the Oyez.org website and use the Search box.
C. Answer the questions in the table provided on the opposite side of this sheet.
1
Supreme Court, Oyez, Part 1/BCS-3/2010-2011