American Government Clep-Judiciary-The Supreme Court

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History and Structure of the Supreme Court

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The only court specified in the Constitution-Article III
Congress given the right to add lower courts
The only federal branch comprised of non-elected members; appointed by president w/ "advice and consent" of the congress

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Nine Justices

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includes Chief Justice

Originally had 6 justices (1979), various times few as 7 as many as 10.

Appointed for life and can only be removed by impeachment

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Leadership in the Supreme Court

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Chief Justice- only leader (first among equals)

Authority to preside over case conferences and to assign the writing of opinions.

Largely symbolic role

Viewed as embodiment of court.

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Powers of Supreme Court

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Adjudicates cases tthat arise thru US (as opposed to state) Constitutional issues, laws and treaties of the US, marititme and admiralty issues, interstate cases, and cases where an individual stat or the US is a party in the case.

Has both original and appellate jurisdiction

Can also refuse to hear a case, which acts as a ruling that the last lower court to hear it acted w/in parameters that preclude further appeal

Interprets the constitution as it applies to the case, and in light of modern times
This interpretation stands as low of the land unless the court itself reverses it.

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Original cases

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initial w/ the court itself, ie, those involving a state and cases involving international figures of state

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Appellate cases

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those that have passed thru other lower federal courts (or rarely, a state's highest court) and one side finds a reason to appeal

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Original cases

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initial w/ the court itself, ie, those involving a state and cases involving international figures of state

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Appellate cases

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those that have passed thru other lower federal courts (or rarely, a state's highest court) and one side finds a reason to appeal