LAW101 – Introduction to Law
Unit 1 Assignment: US Supreme Court Case
Due Date: 11:59 pm EST Sunday of Unit 1
Points: 100
Overview:
In this assignment you will read a Supreme Court opinion and explore the differences between legal writing and non-legal writing.
Instructions:
• Visit the U.S. Supreme Court website posted in this Unit.
• Click on the “Opinions” tab located at the upper left of the site, then click on “Opinions of the Court” in the drop-down box.
• Choose and read the first 10 pages of any Case, they are in blue lettering under the heading “Term Year 2019”.
• Answer the following, and be sure to number your answers:
1. In your own words, state the basic facts of the case.
2. What is your general impression of how the information is presented?
3. How does the presentation of the information differ from the way non-legal information is presented?
4. What are some legal terms that are used in the case that you would not expect to see in other forms of writing?
Requirements:
• Minimum 2 page in length, excluding the Title and Reference pages.
• APA format, including proper legal citation for the case you are writing about.
o Ex: “Gerald Mitchell was convicted of DUI based partly on evidence showing that his blood alcohol level was above Wisconsin’s legal limit. Mitchell v. Wisconsin 588 U.S. ___ (2019). Mr. Mitchell’s blood was drawn while he was unconscious. Id. Mr. Mitchell asked the Supreme Court to suppress this evidence against him claiming that the blood was drawn in violation of his Fourth Amendment rights. Id.
• At least 2 resources. Your reference page will contain the link to the resources used.
Be sure to read the criteria by which your work will be evaluated before you write and again after you write.
Evaluation Rubric for Unit 1 Assignment
CRITERIA Deficient Needs Proficient Exemplary
Improvement
(0-11 Points) (12-15 Points) (16-19 Points) (20 Points)
Question 1 The answer to Question 1 is Question 1 is Question 1 is
question 1 is answered, but answered, but clearly answered
missing or poorly key details are minor details are and fully
presented. missing. missing. presented,
including all
details.
Question 2 The answer to Question 2 is Question 2 is Question 2 is
question 2 is answered, but answered, but clearly answered
missing or poorly key details are minor details are and fully
presented. missing. missing. presented,
including all
details.
Question 3 The answer to Question 3 is Question 3 is Question 3 is
question 3 is answered, but answered, but clearly answered
missing or poorly key details are minor details are and fully
presented. missing. missing. presented,
including all
details.
Question 4 The answer to Question 4 is Question 4 is Question 4 is
question 4 is answered, but answered, but clearly answered
missing or poorly key details are minor details are and fully
presented. missing. missing. presented,
including all
details.
(0-5 Points) (6-7 Points) (8-9 Points) (10 Points)
References One or less N/A N/A 2 resources.
resources.
(0-1 Points) (2-3 Points) (4 Points) (5 Points)
Paper Length Less than 1 1 page 2 page. More than 2
page. page.
Clear and Errors impede Significant errors Few errors that Writing and
Professional professional that do not do not impede format are clear,
Writing and presentation; impede professional professional and
Proper Legal proper legal professional presentation. error free, with
Citations citation presentation. proper citation.
guidelines not
followed.
