Supreme Court

Supreme Court
Joe Ravi · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Court name	Supreme Court
Caption	Seal of the Supreme Court
Established	0 1789
Location	Washington, D.C.
Coordinates	38, 53, 26, N...
Authority	Constitution of the United States
Terms	Life tenure
Chiefjudgename	John Roberts
Termstart	2005
Website	https://www.supremecourt.gov

Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is the highest judicial body in the United States and leads the federal judiciary. Established under Article Three of the United States Constitution, it holds ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all federal and state court cases involving federal law. The Court's decisions have profoundly shaped American law, politics, and society, establishing foundational precedents on issues ranging from civil rights to the separation of powers.

History and establishment

The Court was established by the Judiciary Act of 1789, signed by President George Washington. Its first sessions were held in New York City before moving to Philadelphia and finally to Washington, D.C.. Early under Chief Justices like John Jay and John Marshall, the Court asserted its authority, most famously in the landmark case Marbury v. Madison, which established the principle of judicial review. The Court's permanent home, the Supreme Court Building, was completed in 1935, prior to which it met in the United States Capitol.

Jurisdiction and powers

The Court's jurisdiction is outlined in Article Three of the United States Constitution and further defined by congressional statute, primarily Title 28 of the United States Code. It has original jurisdiction over a narrow range of cases, such as those affecting Ambassadors or disputes between states. Its primary function is appellate, reviewing decisions from lower federal courts like the United States Courts of Appeals and the highest courts of the states. The power of judicial review, while not explicitly granted by the Constitution, allows it to declare acts of Congress or actions by the President of the United States unconstitutional.

Composition and appointment

The Court is composed of one Chief Justice of the United States and eight Associate Justices, a number set by the Judiciary Act of 1869. Justices are nominated by the President of the United States and must be confirmed by the United States Senate. They hold their offices during "good Behaviour," effectively meaning life tenure, and can only be removed through the impeachment process. Notable confirmations have included contentious hearings for nominees like Robert Bork and Clarence Thomas, and more recent appointments such as those of Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett.

Notable decisions and impact

Throughout its history, the Court has issued rulings that have fundamentally altered American society. In Brown v. Board of Education, it declared state laws establishing segregated public schools unconstitutional. Roe v. Wade established a constitutional right to abortion, a decision later overturned in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. Other landmark cases include Miranda v. Arizona, which established Miranda rights for criminal suspects, Citizens United v. FEC, which reshaped campaign finance law, and Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.

Role in the legal system

As the court of last resort, its interpretations of the Constitution of the United States and federal statutes are binding on all other courts. It ensures uniformity in the interpretation of federal law and acts as a crucial check on the other branches of government through the system of separation of powers. The Court's Docket is discretionary, granting review via a Writ of certiorari for only a small fraction of the thousands of petitions it receives annually. Its operations and traditions, from the reading of opinions to the use of robes, are designed to emphasize its authority and the rule of law.

Category:National supreme courts Category:1789 establishments in the United States