What Happens If A Law Is Declared Unconstitutional? – Questions To The Court

The Constitution is the highest law in the state, and no law can go against the Constitution. One of the jobs the Supreme Court is tasked with is deciding whether specific laws that are brought before them are Constitutional or not. Hear from Chief Justice Debra Stephens as she explains when the State Supreme Court has the final say on the interpretation of laws and what role the Legislature has when a law is deemed to be unconstitutional. Discussion Questions: 1. Why could the Washington State Supreme Court be seen as the highest court in the state? 2. For what cases does the Washington State Supreme Court not have the final say? 3. What role does the legislature have when a law is declared unconstitutional? 4. What is a judicial precedent? How do later courts contend with Supreme Court precedents? 📚 LESSON PLAN: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RL5kjP8KnUMKfGLhI6_8HDN9BuiumY0dNHOODEgwBUY/edit?usp=sharing Check out our other CIVICS CURRICULA for WA middle and high school teachers: https://www.teachwithtvw.org/lesson-plans/ ======================================= Other Teach With TVW Civics Videos ======================================= 🎬 Civics 101 https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SDcy6Oz3plxQCqpfNUb2HGf&feature=shared 🎬 Legislative Navigator https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SD-p5BHx443GTtGBp_DKQVT&feature=shared 🎬 Learning Modules - The Branches of WA State Government: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SBe_62ViakFyBCw4qah7eR7&feature=shared https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SDnVbfKeRWogOX6zU5BWw6b&feature=shared https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SCYOl5u2wu52tt3G7sEmNTG&feature=shared ======================================= Other Teach With TVW Civics Programs ======================================= 🙋Capitol Classroom - Bring the Legislative process into your classroom: https://teachwithtvw.org/civic-participation-in-the-classroom/ 🙋On The Issues - Youth bring the questions to WA state leadership: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SCiQlpeW9JwnJepn87zNpDT&feature=shared 🙋TVW CONNECTS - WA students engage in live Q&A with political leaders and experts: https://teachwithtvw.org/tvw-connects-civic-engagement/ =========================== Subscribe and Follow Teach With TVW =========================== ➡YT: @teachwithtvw360 ➡Web: https://www.teachwithtvw.org ➡FB: @Teach with TVW ➡IG: @TeachWithTVW ➡X: @TeachWithTVW ➡LI: @TeachWithTVW QUESTION - Have a question about our lesson plans or online videos? Drop it in the comments! Teach with TVW is a free online resource provided by TVW for Washington state social studies teachers to engage their students in state government and help to inspire active citizens. #waleg #teachwithtvw #CapitolClassroom #CONNECTS #civics101 #legislativenavigator #ontheissues #electionsexplained #judicialbranch #constitution #courts #constitutionallaw #constitution

The Constitution is the highest law in the state, and no law can go against the Constitution. One of the jobs the Supreme Court is tasked with is deciding whether specific laws that are brought before them are Constitutional or not. Hear from Chief Justice Debra Stephens as she explains when the State Supreme Court has the final say on the interpretation of laws and what role the Legislature has when a law is deemed to be unconstitutional.

Discussion Questions:
1. Why could the Washington State Supreme Court be seen as the highest court in the state?
2. For what cases does the Washington State Supreme Court not have the final say?
3. What role does the legislature have when a law is declared unconstitutional?
4. What is a judicial precedent? How do later courts contend with Supreme Court precedents?

📚 LESSON PLAN: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RL5kjP8KnUMKfGLhI6_8HDN9BuiumY0dNHOODEgwBUY/edit?usp=sharing

Check out our other CIVICS CURRICULA for WA middle and high school teachers: https://www.teachwithtvw.org/lesson-plans/
=======================================
Other Teach With TVW Civics Videos
=======================================
🎬 Civics 101 https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SDcy6Oz3plxQCqpfNUb2HGf&feature=shared

🎬 Legislative Navigator https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SD-p5BHx443GTtGBp_DKQVT&feature=shared

🎬 Learning Modules - The Branches of WA State Government:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SBe_62ViakFyBCw4qah7eR7&feature=shared

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SDnVbfKeRWogOX6zU5BWw6b&feature=shared

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SCYOl5u2wu52tt3G7sEmNTG&feature=shared

=======================================
Other Teach With TVW Civics Programs
=======================================

🙋Capitol Classroom - Bring the Legislative process into your classroom: https://teachwithtvw.org/civic-participation-in-the-classroom/

🙋On The Issues - Youth bring the questions to WA state leadership: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SCiQlpeW9JwnJepn87zNpDT&feature=shared

🙋TVW CONNECTS - WA students engage in live Q&A with political leaders and experts:
https://teachwithtvw.org/tvw-connects-civic-engagement/

===========================
Subscribe and Follow Teach With TVW
===========================
➡YT: @teachwithtvw360
➡Web: https://www.teachwithtvw.org
➡FB: @Teach with TVW
➡IG: @TeachWithTVW
➡X: @TeachWithTVW
➡LI: @TeachWithTVW

QUESTION - Have a question about our lesson plans or online videos? Drop it in the comments!

Teach with TVW is a free online resource provided by TVW for Washington state social studies teachers to engage their students in state government and help to inspire active citizens.

#waleg #teachwithtvw #CapitolClassroom #CONNECTS #civics101 #legislativenavigator #ontheissues #electionsexplained #judicialbranch #constitution #courts #constitutionallaw #constitution

YouTube Video xMfsFRPLKq0
03:43

The Constitution is the highest law in the state, and no law can go against the Constitution. One of the jobs the Supreme Court is tasked with is deciding whether specific laws that are brought before them are Constitutional or not. Hear from Chief Justice Debra Stephens as she explains when the State Supreme Court has the final say on the interpretation of laws and what role the Legislature has when a law is deemed to be unconstitutional.

Essential Questions:

  • What occurs after a law is declared unconstitutional?
  • How do the three branches of government work together when laws are deemed unconstitutional?
  • How does the abolition of the death penalty in Washington State illustrate the power of the Washington State Supreme Court?

Objectives:

  1. Understand the role of the Supreme Court in interpreting laws
  2. Understand what role the legislature has when laws are declared unconstitutional
  3. Explain what a precedent is and how it applies to the judicial branch

Teacher Resources

Series