Eleanor Finch
The Supreme Court of the United States is the only court explicitly established by the US Constitution. Article III of the Constitution, which deals with the judiciary branch of government, establishes the Supreme Court and authorises Congress to pass laws establishing a system of lower courts. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land and acts as the court of last resort for those seeking justice. It plays a crucial role in safeguarding civil rights and liberties by striking down laws that violate the Constitution and ensuring that the majority cannot pass laws that infringe on the rights of minorities. The Court also ensures that each branch of the government recognises the limits of its power.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Court established by | Article III, Section I of the Constitution |
| Court established as | One Supreme Court |
| Congress's role | Decide how to organize the Supreme Court |
| Number of justices | Six |
| Current number of justices | One Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices |
| Appointment | Appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate |
| Term | Justices typically hold office for life |
| Jurisdiction | Original and appellate |
| Jurisdiction established by | Article III, Section II of the Constitution |
| Jurisdiction over cases | Suits between two or more states, cases involving ambassadors, other public ministers, and cases involving federal law |
| Role | Protect civil rights and liberties, ensure limits on democratic government, and interpret the Constitution |
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What You'll Learn
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the US
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States. It was established by Article III of the US Constitution, which outlines the judiciary as one of the three distinct branches of the federal government. The Supreme Court is the only court explicitly established by the Constitution, with Article III, Section I stating:
> "The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish."
Article III, Section II of the Constitution establishes the Supreme Court's jurisdiction, or legal ability to hear a case. The Court has original jurisdiction over certain cases, such as suits between two or more states, and cases involving ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls. It also has appellate jurisdiction over almost any other case that involves a point of constitutional or federal law.
The Supreme Court plays a crucial role in the US constitutional system of government. As the highest court in the land, it is the court of last resort for those seeking justice. The Court also has the power of judicial review, ensuring that each branch of government recognises the limits of its power. This includes the authority to strike down state laws found to be in violation of the Constitution and protect civil rights and liberties. The Supreme Court's decisions have a significant impact on society, influencing not just lawyers and judges but also the general public, as seen in landmark cases such as Tinker v. Des Moines Independent School District (1969).
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Article III of the Constitution establishes the federal judiciary
Article III of the US Constitution establishes the federal judiciary, reflecting the Framers' intention to create a balanced government that avoids tyranny and ensures a fair system of justice. It separates and vests the judicial power of the United States in federal courts, specifically in one Supreme Court and such inferior courts as Congress may establish from time to time.
Article III outlines the structure and function of the judicial branch, which interacts with the legislative and executive branches through a system of checks and balances. This ensures that no single branch accumulates excessive power and safeguards democratic principles and the rule of law. The judicial branch's independence is further assured by provisions for tenure during good behaviour and the prohibition of salary reductions for judges, including those in the Supreme Court.
While Article III establishes the Supreme Court, it does not set the number of justices and makes no mention of a Chief Justice. Instead, it allows Congress to decide how to organise the Supreme Court and create inferior courts as needed. Congress first exercised this power in the Judiciary Act of 1789, establishing a Supreme Court with six justices, along with lower federal courts.
The Supreme Court has both original and appellate jurisdiction, with the power to hear cases involving ambassadors, public ministers, and consuls, as well as controversies between states or between a state and citizens of another state. It also has the authority to strike down state laws found to be in violation of the Constitution, protecting civil rights and liberties.
The Supreme Court plays a crucial role in ensuring each branch of government recognises its limits and safeguarding against tyranny by the majority. Its decisions have a profound impact on society, influencing fundamental values such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and due process of law.
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The Supreme Court has original and appellate jurisdiction
The Supreme Court is the only court that is explicitly established by the US Constitution. Article III, Section I of the Constitution states that "The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish."
Article III, Section II of the Constitution establishes the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, which includes both original and appellate jurisdiction. The Court has original jurisdiction over certain types of cases, such as suits between two or more states, cases involving ambassadors, and other public ministers. This means that the Supreme Court is the first court to hear these cases, and its decisions are final.
The Court also has appellate jurisdiction, which means it can hear appeals from lower courts. This jurisdiction covers almost all other cases that involve a point of constitutional or federal law. The Supreme Court's appellate jurisdiction also includes cases from the federal circuit courts and state courts where those courts' rulings have rejected federal claims.
The Supreme Court plays a crucial role in the US constitutional system of government. As the highest court in the land, it is the final resort for those seeking justice. Additionally, through its power of judicial review, the Supreme Court ensures that each branch of the government recognizes the limits of its power. The Court can strike down laws that violate the Constitution, protecting civil rights and liberties, and setting limits on democratic government.
The decisions of the Supreme Court have a significant impact on society, influencing not just lawyers and judges but also the general public. The Court's rulings on landmark cases, such as Tinker v. Des Moines Independent School District (1969), have had profound consequences for students' rights and freedom of speech.
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Congress can decide how to organise the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is the only court that is guaranteed by the US Constitution. Article III of the Constitution establishes the federal judiciary. Article III, Section I states that:
> "The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish."
Although the Constitution establishes the Supreme Court, it permits Congress to decide how to organise it. Congress first exercised this power in the Judiciary Act of 1789, which created a Supreme Court with six justices and established the lower federal court system.
Over the years, various Acts of Congress have altered the number of seats on the Supreme Court, from a low of five to a high of 10. Shortly after the Civil War, the number of seats was fixed at nine, where it remains today. There is currently one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices of the United States Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court plays a crucial role in the US constitutional system of government. As the highest court in the land, it is the court of last resort for those seeking justice. Its power of judicial review ensures that each branch of government recognises the limits of its power. The Court has the authority to strike down state laws found to be in violation of the Constitution, and it protects civil rights and liberties by doing so. It also sets limits on democratic government, ensuring that popular majorities cannot pass laws that harm or take advantage of unpopular minorities.
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Justices are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate
The Supreme Court is the only court explicitly established by the US Constitution. Article III, Section I of the Constitution states:
> "The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish."
Article III, Section 2 of the Constitution establishes the jurisdiction (legal ability to hear a case) of the Supreme Court. The Court has original jurisdiction (a case is tried before the Court) over certain cases, e.g., suits between two or more states and/or cases involving ambassadors and other public ministers. The Court has appellate jurisdiction (the Court can hear the case on appeal) on almost any other case that involves a point of constitutional and/or federal law.
The Supreme Court plays a crucial role in the US constitutional system of government. Firstly, as the highest court in the land, it is the court of last resort for those seeking justice. Secondly, its power of judicial review ensures that each branch of the government recognises the limits of its power. Thirdly, it protects civil rights and liberties by striking down laws that violate the Constitution.
Justices of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. They typically hold office for life, and their salaries cannot be decreased during their term of office. These restrictions are intended to safeguard the judiciary's independence from political branches of government.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution guarantees only the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States. It is the court of last resort for those seeking justice.
The Supreme Court plays an important role in the constitutional system of government. It ensures that each branch of government recognises the limits of its power. It also protects civil rights and liberties by striking down laws that violate the Constitution.
The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over certain cases, such as suits between two or more states and cases involving ambassadors and other public ministers. It has appellate jurisdiction over almost any other case that involves a point of constitutional and/or federal law.
There is one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices of the United States Supreme Court.
