Malcolm Rivera
The Supreme Court of the United States is the only court ordained by the Constitution. Article III of the Constitution establishes the federal judiciary and outlines the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land and plays a crucial role in the constitutional system of government. It has the power of judicial review, ensuring that each branch of government recognizes its limits and protecting civil rights and liberties by striking down laws that violate the Constitution. The Court also has original jurisdiction over certain cases, such as suits involving ambassadors, and appellate jurisdiction over a wide range of cases involving constitutional and federal law.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Established by | Article III of the U.S. Constitution |
| Type of court | Supreme Court |
| Number of justices | 9 (1 Chief Justice and 8 Associate Justices) |
| Appointment of justices | Appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate |
| Tenure of justices | For life |
| Jurisdiction | Original and appellate |
| Powers | Judicial review, ensuring each branch of government recognizes its own power limits, protecting civil rights and liberties, and setting limits on democratic government |
| Role | Court of last resort |
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What You'll Learn
The US Supreme Court is the only court ordained by the Constitution
The US Supreme Court is the only court ordained by the US Constitution. Article III of the Constitution establishes the federal judiciary, 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, therefore, created the Supreme Court and authorised Congress to pass laws establishing a system of lower courts. The US Supreme Court is the highest court in the country, with the final say over when a right is protected by the Constitution or when a Constitutional right is violated. It is the court of last resort for those seeking justice.
The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over certain cases, for example, suits between two or more states and/or cases involving ambassadors and other public ministers. It also has appellate jurisdiction over almost any other case that involves a point of constitutional and/or federal law. The Court's power of judicial review means it plays a crucial role in ensuring that each branch of government recognises the limits of its power.
The Supreme Court also has an essential role in protecting civil rights and liberties by striking down laws that violate the Constitution. It ensures that popular majorities cannot pass laws that harm or take advantage of unpopular minorities. The Court's decisions have a profound impact on society, with landmark cases involving students, for instance, ruling that students could not be punished for wearing black armbands to school to protest the Vietnam War.
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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 other two are the legislative and executive branches. Article III, Section I 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."
The Constitution gives Congress the power to decide how to organise the Supreme Court. 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.
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 on almost any other case that involves a point of constitutional and/or federal law. The Court also has the authority to strike down state laws found to be in violation of the Constitution.
The Supreme Court plays a crucial role in the 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 also protects civil rights and liberties by striking down unconstitutional laws and setting limits on democratic government to ensure that popular majorities cannot pass laws that harm or take advantage of unpopular minorities.
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It was established by Article III of the Constitution
Article III of the US Constitution establishes the judiciary as one of the three branches of the federal government. The three branches—legislative, executive, and judicial—operate within a constitutional system of "checks and balances". This means that while each branch is formally separate from the other two, they must also cooperate. For example, federal laws are passed by Congress and signed by the President, but the judicial branch has the authority to decide the constitutionality of those laws.
Article III, Section I of the Constitution establishes the Supreme Court and gives Congress the power to pass laws establishing a system of lower courts. It 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 (legal ability to hear a case) of the Supreme Court. The Court has original jurisdiction over certain cases, such as suits between two or more states and/or cases involving ambassadors and other public ministers. It has appellate jurisdiction on almost any other case that involves a point of constitutional and/or federal law.
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States and is the court of last resort for those seeking justice. It plays an important role in ensuring that each branch of government recognizes the limits of its power. The Court also protects civil rights and liberties by striking down laws that violate the Constitution and by setting appropriate limits on democratic government.
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The Supreme Court has original and appellate jurisdiction
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States, established by Article III of the U.S. Constitution. Article III also authorizes Congress to pass laws establishing a system of lower courts. The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over certain cases, such as suits between two or more states, cases involving ambassadors, and other public ministers. This means that these cases are tried before the Supreme Court in the first instance.
The Constitution outlines the Supreme Court's original jurisdiction in Article III, Section 2: "In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction." This means that the Supreme Court is the first court to hear cases involving ambassadors, public ministers, and consuls, as well as cases in which a state is a party.
In addition to its original jurisdiction, the Supreme Court also has appellate jurisdiction. This means that the Court can hear appeals from lower courts on a wide range of cases involving constitutional and federal law. The appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court is also outlined in Article III, Section 2 of the Constitution: "In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make."
The Supreme Court's appellate jurisdiction is an important part of the U.S. legal system, as it allows the Court to provide guidance and clarification on constitutional and federal law. The Court's decisions can have a profound impact on society and play a crucial role in shaping the interpretation and application of the law.
The Supreme Court's original and appellate jurisdiction are both essential to its role as the highest court in the land. The Court's original jurisdiction allows it to hear important cases involving states and ambassadors, while its appellate jurisdiction enables it to provide clarity and consistency in the interpretation of the law. By exercising its original and appellate jurisdiction, the Supreme Court plays a vital role in upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights and liberties of Americans.
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It plays a key role in the constitutional system of government
The Supreme Court is the only court ordained by the US Constitution. Article III of the Constitution establishes the federal judiciary and outlines the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court plays a crucial role in the constitutional system of government. Firstly, it is the highest court in the land, serving as the final arbiter for those seeking justice. This makes it an essential pillar of the constitutional system, providing a check and balance on the other branches of government.
Secondly, the Supreme Court has the power of judicial review, which allows it to determine the constitutionality of federal laws and ensure that each branch of government respects the limits of its power. This power was established in Marbury v. Madison, a landmark case that solidified the Court's authority to strike down laws that violate the Constitution.
Thirdly, the Supreme Court protects civil rights and liberties by ruling on cases that involve constitutional rights and ensuring that the fundamental values enshrined in the Constitution are upheld. For example, in Tinker v. Des Moines Independent School District (1969), the Court held that students could not be punished for wearing black armbands to school to protest the Vietnam War, thus protecting their freedom of speech.
Additionally, the Supreme Court ensures that popular majorities cannot pass laws that harm or take advantage of unpopular minorities. This function is essential in maintaining a democratic government that respects the rights of all its citizens, even those who may be in the minority.
The Supreme Court's decisions have far-reaching implications, impacting not just lawyers and judges but society at large. The Court's rulings shape the interpretation and application of the Constitution, influencing the legislative and executive branches and safeguarding the rights and freedoms of the American people.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution establishes the Supreme Court as the only court ordained by the Constitution.
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the US and acts as the court of last resort for those seeking justice. It also plays an essential role in ensuring that each branch of the government recognises the limits of its power.
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 currently one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices of the Supreme Court.
