The SGA Judiciary 1
The Judiciary Felix Titre Chief Justice
Aryan Gautam Justice
Katherine Zhu Justice
2
What do we do? Review Formal Complaints Accept petitions for writs of certiorari from eligible students. Interpret Governing Documents Apply the SGA Constitution, Bylaws and other relevant governing documents to the dispute Issue Binding Decisions Establish precedent that guides future SGA actions. Final Avenue of Appeal Hear appeals from SGA-related matters after other remedies are exhausted. Emergency Injunctions When immediate action is needed to protect students' rights. 3
How are petitions evaluated? The Senate creates legislation but its actions must comply with the Constitution and Bylaws. The Judiciary reviews actions when a student demonstrates: Actual Injury A concrete harm caused by the action Causation The action directly caused the harm Redressability A ruling can fix the problem Exhaustion Other appeals were tried first The Senate or Executive Branch may also request a non binding advisory opinion before acting to prevent unconstitutional measures from moving forward. 4
What do we do? Advisory Opinions Provide nonbinding guidance to SGA branches and affiliated organizations. Receive Query from SGA Concern regarding a bill, action or legislation’s constitutionality Interpret Governing Documents Apply the SGA Constitution, Bylaws and other relevant governing documents to the dispute 5
ENFORCEMENT Actions of the Judiciary Binding Opinions SGA and its subsidiary bodies must implement our rulings. Emergency Injunctions & Stays Order actions to stop or continue; pause lower-body decisions during appeals. Overturn & Modify Reverse or adjust decisions by the CSE and other SGA bodies. Set Precedent Establish rules that the CSE and SGA must follow going forward. Our authority applies to SGA and entities under its jurisdiction, not directly to university departments. 6
Internal Accountability Collective Decision-Making All members participate, so no single justice controls outcomes. Majority Rulings Decisions require a majority, ensuring broad consensus. Recusals Members recuse themselves when conflicts of interest arise. Public Written Opinions Every ruling is documented, published, and open to scrutiny, including concurrences and dissents. 7
CSE RELATIONSHIP How We Work with the CSE The CSE administers and initially enforces election rules. The Judiciary serves as the final appellate body, so students must raise complaints with the CSE before appealing to us. On Appeal, We Can: Review whether the CSE correctly applied election rules Stay a CSE decision before results are certified Affirm, modify, or overturn the CSE's ruling Establish binding precedent for future CSE cases File with CSE Submit complaint for initial enforcement and ruling. CSE Investigation CSE reviews facts and issues an initial decision. Appeal to Judiciary Request final review after exhausting CSE remedies. Judicial Outcome Judiciary may stay, affirm, or overturn and set precedent. The Judiciary is also responsible for appointing members of the CSE 8
Contact Us Email SGAjudiciary@jh.edu ftitre1@jh.edu agautam3@jh.edu kzhu36@jh.edu
Petition for Writ of Certiorari 9