United States Supreme Court

United States Supreme Court

The United States Supreme Court is the highest court in the federal judiciary of the United States of America. Established pursuant to Article III of the United States Constitution in 1789, it has ultimate (and largely discretionary) appellate jurisdiction over all federal and state court cases that involve a point of federal law, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases. The Court holds the power of judicial review, the ability to invalidate a statute for violating a provision of the Constitution. It is also tasked with ensuring the American people the promise of equal justice under law and, thereby, also functions as the guardian and interpreter of the Constitution.

The Supreme Court is composed of nine Justices: one Chief Justice of the United States and eight Associate Justices. The Justices are nominated by the President of the United States and must be confirmed by the United States Senate. Once appointed, Justices have life tenure, serving "during good Behaviour," which means they remain in office until they resign, retire, die, or are removed from office through impeachment.

History

The Judiciary Act of 1789 established the United States Supreme Court, but it did not specify the number of Justices. The Constitution itself did not establish this number, which has varied from six to ten, but has been set at nine since 1869. The Court's first session was held in New York City in February 1790. The first cases before the Court were primarily concerned with jurisdictional issues, and the Court's authority was not firmly established until Chief Justice John Marshall served from 1801 to 1835. Marshall's leadership established the Court's role in federal government and developed the practice of judicial review.

Jurisdiction and Powers

The Supreme Court has both original and appellate jurisdiction. Its original jurisdiction is limited to cases involving ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and those in which a state shall be party. The vast majority of its cases come to it on appeal from lower courts. The Court has the discretion to choose which cases it will hear, with the exception of certain cases where its jurisdiction is mandatory.

The power of judicial review is perhaps the most significant power of the Supreme Court, enabling it to declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional. This power was established in the landmark case of Marbury v. Madison (1803).

Procedure

Cases are brought to the Supreme Court via writs of certiorari, appeals, and in a few instances, through original jurisdiction. The Court hears oral arguments in cases from October through April. Each Justice has one vote, and the majority opinion of the Court becomes the decision. In case of a tie, the decision of the lower court stands.

Significant Cases

Over its history, the Supreme Court has handed down decisions in numerous landmark cases, including: - Marbury v. Madison (1803), which established the principle of judicial review. - Brown v. Board of Education (1954), which declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students to be unconstitutional. - Roe v. Wade (1973), which ruled that the Constitution of the United States protects a pregnant woman's liberty to choose to have an abortion without excessive government restriction. - Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), which guaranteed the right to same-sex marriage.

Impact

The decisions of the Supreme Court have had a profound impact on American society, shaping the interpretation of the Constitution and influencing the development of American law and society. Its rulings have addressed issues of civil rights, individual freedoms, and the balance of power within the federal government, among others.

Current Composition

As of the last update, the Supreme Court consists of a Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices. The current composition of the Court can change with new appointments by the President and confirmations by the Senate.