Omar Bennett
The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) is the highest court in the federal judiciary of the United States. It comprises one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices, who are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over cases involving ambassadors, public ministers, and consuls, as well as those in which a state is a party. It also has appellate jurisdiction over all federal court cases and state court cases involving questions of federal or constitutional law. The Court's power of judicial review allows it to declare acts of Congress or the Executive Branch unconstitutional, and it plays a crucial role in ensuring that each branch of government recognizes its limits.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of justices | 9 (1 Chief Justice and 8 Associate Justices) |
| Appointment | Appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate |
| Term | Justices typically hold office for life |
| Salary | Associate Justices: $298,500/year; Chief Justice: $312,200/year |
| Jurisdiction | Original jurisdiction over cases involving ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls, and those in which a state is a party; Appellate jurisdiction over almost any other case involving a point of constitutional or federal law |
| Powers | Judicial review, i.e., the ability to declare a Legislative or Executive act in violation of the Constitution; Authority to strike down state laws found to be in violation of the Constitution; Final say over when a right is protected by the Constitution or when a Constitutional right is violated |
| Role | Ensures that each branch of the government recognizes the limits of its power |
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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 created the Supreme Court and authorised Congress to pass laws establishing a system of lower courts. The Supreme Court has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all US federal court cases, as well as over state court cases that involve questions of US constitutional or federal law.
The Supreme Court consists of one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices, who are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. They typically hold office for life, with their salaries protected during their term. This is to ensure the independence of the judiciary from political branches of government.
The Supreme Court's most well-known power is judicial review, or the ability to declare a Legislative or Executive act in violation of the Constitution. This power was established in the case of Marbury v. Madison in 1803, where the Court decided that an Act of Congress contrary to the Constitution could not stand. 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, it is the court of last resort for those seeking justice. Through its power of judicial review, the Court ensures that each branch of government recognises its own limits and operates within a system of checks and balances.
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Justices are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate
The Justices of the Supreme Court, also known as federal judges, are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the federal judiciary of the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all U.S. federal court cases, and over state court cases that turn on questions of U.S. constitutional or federal law.
Article III of the Constitution establishes the federal judiciary, with Article III, Section I stating 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." Congress first exercised this power in the Judiciary Act of 1789, creating a Supreme Court with six justices and establishing the lower federal court system.
The Supreme Court has nine justices in total: one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices. Justices typically hold office for life and their salaries cannot be decreased during their term of office. These restrictions are intended to protect the independence of the judiciary from political interference.
The Supreme Court's most well-known power is judicial review, or the ability to declare a Legislative or Executive act in violation of the Constitution. This power was established in the landmark case of Marbury v. Madison in 1803, where the Court asserted its authority over Acts of Congress. The Court has also established its power 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 final arbiter of justice. Its power of judicial review ensures that each branch of government recognizes its own limits and stays within the boundaries set by the Constitution.
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Justices typically hold office for life
The US Constitution establishes three distinct branches of the federal government: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The judicial branch, or the federal judiciary, is comprised of the Supreme Court and inferior courts ordained by Congress.
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the US and is made up of one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices. These justices are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. They typically hold office for life and cannot be removed from office except through impeachment by the House of Representatives and conviction by the Senate.
The lifetime appointment of justices is based on Article III of the Constitution, which states that judges "hold their office during good behavior." This means that while justices technically serve during their lifetime, they can be removed from office if they no longer meet the "good behavior" clause. The lack of term limits is intended to protect the independence of the judiciary and ensure impartiality in the administration of laws.
However, some scholars have questioned the appropriateness of lifetime appointments due to increased lifespans, which have led to longer average tenures for justices. There have been suggestions for term limits or an active/senior justice model to address potential partisan imbalances and the effects of aging on judicial performance. Nonetheless, implementing such changes would likely require a constitutional amendment, which is not expected to happen anytime soon.
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The Court has original and appellate jurisdiction
The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) is the highest court in the federal judiciary of the United States. It has original and appellate jurisdiction.
Original jurisdiction refers to cases tried before the Court for the first time. The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over a narrow range of cases, including suits between two or more states and cases involving ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls.
Appellate jurisdiction refers to the Court's ability to hear a case on appeal. The Supreme Court has appellate jurisdiction over almost any case that involves a point of constitutional or federal law. This means that the Supreme Court can hear appeals from lower federal courts and state courts on cases involving the interpretation of the Constitution or federal statutes.
The Supreme Court's power of judicial review, established in the landmark case of Marbury v. Madison in 1803, is a critical aspect of its jurisdiction. This power allows the Court to declare a Legislative or Executive act in violation of the Constitution and to strike down state laws found to be unconstitutional. The Court has the final say on whether a right is protected by the Constitution or when a Constitutional right has been violated.
The Supreme Court also has the authority to review and invalidate presidential directives if they conflict with the Constitution or statutory law. This power underscores the Court's role in ensuring that each branch of government recognizes and operates within the limits of its constitutional authority.
The Supreme Court's jurisdiction and powers are established by Article III of the U.S. Constitution, which outlines the structure and authority of the federal judiciary.
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The Court can declare acts in violation of the Constitution
The US Constitution establishes three distinct branches of the federal government: the legislative, executive, and judicial. Article III of the Constitution establishes the judiciary, which includes the federal courts. The judiciary's role is to decide the constitutionality of federal laws and resolve other cases involving federal laws.
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the US and is comprised of one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices. The Court's most well-known power is judicial review, or the ability to declare a Legislative or Executive act in violation of the Constitution. This power was established in the case of Marbury v. Madison in 1803. In this case, the Court decided that an Act of Congress that is contrary to the Constitution is invalid.
The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over certain cases, such as suits between two or more states or cases involving ambassadors. It also has appellate jurisdiction, meaning it can hear almost any case on appeal that involves a point of constitutional or federal law. The Court's power of judicial review extends to reviewing the constitutionality of legislation enacted by Congress and the actions of the executive branch.
The Supreme Court plays a crucial role in the constitutional system of government. As the court of last resort, it is the highest court of appeal for those seeking justice. Through its power of judicial review, the Court ensures that each branch of government recognizes its own limits and protects civil rights and liberties by striking down laws that violate the Constitution.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitutional Court in the US Constitution is made up of one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices.
The Justices are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
As of 2024, Associate Justices receive a yearly salary of $298,500, while the Chief Justice is paid $312,200 per year.
