CJ 330 Excelsior College Judicial Activism Advantages and Disadvantages Paper

Throughout Modules 1 – 3 you have gained insight into the way courts work. So far we’ve covered their function and structure, how they influence and are influenced by other governmental institutions and, by society at large.

As you’ve been learning, all judges make choices – explicitly or implicitly – that enhance or limit their policymaking roles and can have great influence beyond the cases at hand they are deciding, particularly on the appellate level.

For this assignment, you will:

1. Review your readings, in particular sections regarding sources of law and the roles of the courts. Note the ability of the courts’ interpretation of statutes and creation of common law to be overridden by the legislature and Justice Roberts’ quote on page 10, among other things. Review also Exhibit 1.2
2. Watch and listen to Justice Antonin Scalia talk about judging judges (Links to an external site.) [Video file][1 min 36 sec]
3. In a 500-700 word essay format please:
   1. Explain the concept of judicial activism
   2. Evaluate the pros and cons of judicial activism and restraint
   3. Explain whether judicial activism is important for the administration of justice

Be sure to incorporate scholarly references from outside of your assigned readings. The EC Library Criminal Justice Research Guide (Links to an external site.) is a helpful place to start.

Use the EC Library resources to properly cite your work:

• EC Library Citing Sources (Links to an external site.)

Compose your work in a .doc or .docx file type using a word processor (such as Microsoft Word, etc.) and save it frequently to your computer. For those assignments that are not written essays and require uploading images or PowerPoint slides, please follow uploading guidelines provided by your instructor.