The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the country, with the power to interpret and defend the Constitution and strike down unconstitutional laws. It is made up of a panel of nine justices, including the Chief Justice, who are appointed by the President and serve for life. The Court has […]
William Howard Taft served as both President and Chief Justice of the United States. He was a lawyer and became the youngest US Attorney General at age 32. Some Supreme Court justices lacked legal training, and Harvard Law School has produced the most justices. William Orville Douglas was the longest-serving justice. William Howard Taft is […]
Visiting the Supreme Court in Washington, DC is possible during sessions which run from October to April. Visitors must arrive early and seating is first come, first served. Copies of decisions can be obtained from the Public Information Office. Many people interested in the functioning of the justice system in the United States visited the […]
Becoming a Supreme Court justice in the US does not require judicial experience, but a background in law is helpful. Nomination by the president and confirmation by the Senate are the only requirements. Candidates must be familiar with the law and politics and get recognized by the president. Once a vacancy arises, candidates are screened […]
Supreme Court justices rely on legal advisers to draft opinions for the 100 cases discussed each year. Interning at the Supreme Court is highly sought after, but requires a doctorate in juris and experience as a federal appeals court employee. Staff research and write memoranda on “certificate-worthy” cases, and often draft the judges’ opinions. Only […]
The US Supreme Court has nine justices appointed by the president and approved by the Senate for a lifetime term. Congress determines the number of justices, which has changed several times since 1790, with the current number being nine. The Supreme Court has the power to decide whether laws are constitutional and has significant influence […]
The US Supreme Court is the highest court and its decisions are final. It receives around 5,000 petitions for writs of certiorari each year, which are reviewed by legal clerks and judges. The Rule of Four determines which cases are heard, with certiorari often granted for cases with far-reaching or conflicting issues. The Supreme Court […]
The US President nominates a Supreme Court Justice with Senate approval, and while legal experience is not mandatory, the vetting process is intense. The Senate Judiciary Committee investigates the candidate’s life and judicial activity, including potential biases. Candidates refuse to answer questions regarding how they would vote in a given set of circumstances, and controversial […]
US state supreme courts lack diversity, with 23 states having all-white courts despite people of color making up at least 20% of the population in 12 of those states. Only 15.5% of state supreme court seats are held by people of color. Six states have a higher percentage of non-white judges than their non-white population. […]
Superior court records, including criminal and civil cases, can be searched online or in person during business hours. Some records may be archived and require a fee to access. Criminal cases can be found by searching a defendant index, while some documents may be confidential and require a connection to the case to view. Higher […]
The US Constitution does not specify qualifications for Supreme Court justices, including age, education, or citizenship. The president can nominate anyone, but Senate confirmation is necessary. There have been justices born outside the US and with varying levels of education and experience. The Supreme Court was established by Article Three of the United States Constitution, […]
The jurisdiction of the US Federal Supreme Court is limited, with original jurisdiction including disputes between states, cases involving US citizens and foreign entities, and cases where the US government is a designated party. The court also has appellate powers and can hear cases that have gone through the appropriate appeal route. A court’s ability […]
The US Supreme Court hears important cases and rules on the constitutionality of laws. Controversial cases include Marbury v. Madison, Dred Scott v. Sandford, Plessy v. Ferguson, Brown v. Board of Education, and Roe v. Wade, which have had lasting impacts on politics, law, culture, and government. The United States Supreme Court, the highest court […]
