Supreme Court United States
The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) is the highest judicial authority in the country and plays a critical role in interpreting the Constitution, shaping U.S. law, and ensuring justice in the federal system.
Key Features:
Establishment: The Supreme Court was established by Article III of the U.S. Constitution in 1789. It was designed to interpret and apply the law and serve as a check on the powers of the legislative and executive branches.
Composition:
- The Court consists of nine justices, including one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices.
- Justices are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. They serve life terms, unless they retire or are impeached.
Jurisdiction:
- Original jurisdiction: SCOTUS has the authority to hear certain cases for the first time, including disputes between states and certain cases involving diplomats.
- Appellate jurisdiction: Most cases come to SCOTUS on appeal. This includes cases heard by U.S. Courts of Appeals, state supreme courts, and issues that involve federal law or constitutional questions.
Key Powers:
- Judicial Review: SCOTUS has the power to declare laws or actions by the executive branch unconstitutional, a power established in Marbury v. Madison (1803).
- Final Authority: Decisions made by SCOTUS are final and binding. Their rulings impact federal law, state laws, and public policy across the U.S.
Famous Cases:
- Brown v. Board of Education (1954): Ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional.
- Roe v. Wade (1973): Recognized a woman's constitutional right to choose to have an abortion.
- Obergefell v. Hodges (2015): Legalized same-sex marriage across the United States.
- Gideon v. Wainwright (1963): Ruled that state courts must provide an attorney to defendants who cannot afford one in criminal cases.
Decisions and Opinions:
- When the Supreme Court makes a decision, it writes a formal opinion. The opinion explains the legal reasoning behind the decision.
- A majority opinion represents the view of most justices, while dissenting opinions reflect the views of those who disagree. Occasionally, there are concurring opinions, where a justice agrees with the result but for different reasons.
Location:
- SCOTUS is based in Washington, D.C., in the U.S. Supreme Court building, where hearings and arguments take place.
Hearings:
- Cases are argued before the Court in formal oral arguments, where attorneys present their case to the justices, followed by questions from the justices.
- The Court typically hears about 70-80 cases a year from thousands of petitions.
Would you like more detailed information on specific cases or the workings of the Court?
RELATED Blog
0 comments