These cartoons highlight issues related to judges and the judicial system. See how you would answer the questions that go with the cartoons. To access other topics, use the Topics
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Judges and the Bench
Cartoon 1
Judges' Supply Overstocked
Adapted from Insights on Law & Society 2.1
(Fall 2001): 11.
The U.S. president nominates federal judges, and the Senate must approve them. The confirmation process is highly political. Learn about the politics of judicial appointments with this cartoon.
1. What has this supply store placed on sale? Why?
2. What does the cartoon suggest about the number of vacancies in the Federal Judiciary? Why might these vacancies concern Americans?
3. President Bush belongs to the Republican Party. What are its political positions on key issues? How do its positions differ from those of the Democratic Party? Why would presidents want federal judges who lean their way politically? Why would a Senate controlled by the other party block such appointments?
4. See Congressional Bills: Courts/Judiciary for President Bush's nominees to the federal bench. In the media, follow their progress through confirmation hearings in the Senate, taking special note of commentary having to do with the changeover from Democratic to Republican control.
Cartoon 2
Trial by Error?
Adapted From Insights on Law & Society 3.2 (Winter 2003): 6.
Would you trust this jury to come to a fair decision? See what you can learn about juries, the media, and the right to a fair trial by completing the activities below.
1. What are the members of this jury using instead of their heads? In what nation is the trial taking place in which they are serving? What statement is this cartoonist making with respect to jury trials in this nation?
2. Which of these terms do you think best describes the mood of this cartoon: condemning, sarcastic, or humorous? Do you feel that this mood is appropriate for this subject? If so, why? If not, what mood do you think is the most appropriate? If you could redraw the cartoon to express this mood, how would you do so?
3. Where in the U.S. Constitution are the requirements for Jurors and Jury Trials described? What are the jury's tasks? What are the Rights of the Accused? What juror characteristics are essential to ensuring the accused's right to a fair trial? Name a trial in which it is possible that the News Media influenced the verdict. What was the outcome of that trial?
4. What is Voir Dire? How do lawyers use voir dire to help neutralize the effects of news coverage in high-profile trials?
