How Federal Courts Impact You Every Day

2018 is the 229th anniversary of the creation of the federal courts. What difference do they make in the daily lives of law-abiding teens? From that first check of the mobile device in the morning to the last newscast at night, decisions made in federal courts touch every aspect of daily life. Who are the judges making the decisions? How are they selected? What is their job description? What is an impartial judiciary? How was the federal court system created?

SAENZ v. Roe (1999)

Does a statute authorizing states receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) to pay the benefit amount of another state to its first year residents, violate the Fourteenth Amendment? This case summary shows how the Supreme Court answered this question in 1999.

Samson v. California (2006)

Does the Fourth Amendment prohibit police from conducting an suspicionless search of a parolee? This case summary shows how the Supreme Court answered this question in 2006.

Schriro v. Landrigan (2007)

Was an attorney ineffective for failure to present mitigating evidence during a sentencing hearing, even though his client opposed the use of the evidence? This case summary shows how the Supreme Court answered this question in 2007.