By Brialore, Morrea, and Ralph The Supreme Court By Brialore, Morrea, and Ralph

Jurisdiction The Supreme Court’s main job is to decide whether laws are allowed by the U.S. constitution. There are two types of cases that have original jurisdiction: disputes between two or more states diplomats from foreign countries The Supreme Court has final authority in cases that involve the Constitution, acts of Congress, and treaties with other nations. The Supreme Court chooses which cases they want to hear. When the Supreme Court refuses to hear a case the decision of the lower court remains the same.

Duties of Justices The Supreme Court is made up of nine justices: The Chief Justice Eight associate justices The Chief Justice is the Court’s leader. The main duty of justices is to hear and rule on cases. The justices choose which cases to hear and rule on.

Qualification of Justices The Constitution doesn’t name any qualifications for a Supreme Court justice. In the past, justices always had legal training. There is no requirement that the justices must be lawyers. Before being named to the Court, most have practiced, or taught law or held other public offices. More than three dozen justices had never been judges before joining the Court. The men and women who sit on the Court, like all federal judges, have their jobs for life. In recent years, Congress, and the media have looked at a nominee’s personal life as well as their personal qualifications and experience before they were given their job.

Powers and Limits Article III of the Constitution creates the judicial branch. Congress has established most of the rules that govern the organization and powers of the Supreme Court. The system of checks and balances in the Constitution puts limits on the power of the federal court system, and that includes the Supreme Court.

Judicial Review Judicial Review is one of the most important powers of the Supreme Court. Judicial Review means that the Court can review any federal, state, or local law or action to determine whether it goes against the Constitution. A law that is Constitutional can stay, but if the law is unconstitutional the Court can nullify, or legally cancel, that law or action.

Limits on the Supreme Court The Court can only hear and make rulings on the cases that are presented. All cases taken by the Court must be actual legal arguments. The Court only takes cases that involve a federal question. The Supreme Court depends on the executive branch and on state/local officials to follow established rules. Normally, the executive branch enforces Court decisions, but not always. If Congress disagrees with a Court ruling, they can change or pass a new law that the Court finds unconstitutional. With an amendment, Congress and state legislatures can try to undo Court rulings.

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