The United States Supreme Court is spoken of in passing often, especially on the news and media. It's a shadow in the dark to most of us, other than the fuzzy image most of us have in our minds of the large ornate chairs and men and women in judge's robes.
SCOTUS or more commonly known as Supreme Court Of The United States, is the highest court in the nation. The supreme court has the ultimate jurisdiction over all local state and federal laws within the United States. Nine judges currently sit on the bar as the highest ranking judges over the land. Established by the constitution in 1789 the supreme court resides over and rules above the more inferior federal courts. Federal courts do not however lack power. In general the local federal court's decision is accepted and if appealed may go so far as the final step which is the Supreme Court whose decision would be ultimate.
The justices who sit on the Supreme Court are nominated by the President and either confirmed or denied by the United States Senate. One Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices comprise the Court of the Land. However upon its birth there were six total justices. The Honorable John G. Robers Jr. the 17th Chief Justice was nominated in 2005 to be an associate justice, initially to succeed the retiring Sandra Day O’Connor. However Chief Justice Rehnquist passed, President Bush gave him a promotion and nominated him as Chief Justice. Justices are for life unless they retire, pass or are impeached. So far only one has ever been impeached Samuel Chase in 1804. There are no official qualifications that must be met to sit on the Supreme Court. However so far every person who's served has been a lawyer before joining the court.
The Court when exercising its appellate jurisdiction is petitioned with thousands of cases a year however it does not hear or entertain them all. The Centioari Act of 1925 gives the Court the discretion as to which cases to review. The Supreme Court usually hears roughly 150 cases a year. Besides appellate power the best known power of the Court is its judicial review, the ability of the court to declare whether or not Legislation or Executive acts are in violation of the Constitution.
The highest court in the land, last resort court for those in need of justice, ensures that each branch of government stays within its constitutional and legal parameters. In essence the supreme court keeps all branches of government in checks and balances as well as upholding the fundamental values we uphold as Americans; freedom of speech, freedom of religion and due process of law.
History.com Editors. (2010, May 11). Supreme Court. Retrieved September 17, 2020, from https://www.history.com/topics/us-government/supreme-court-facts
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