The Supreme Court (The Judicial Branch) What’s the big deal?

What is the Supreme Court? The Supreme Court is the highest and most powerful court in the United States. The court judges whether federal or state laws are constitutional, or decides if they agree with the constitution.

Who is on the Supreme Court? There are 9 justices or judges on the Supreme Court. Of those 9 justices, one is the chief justice (the lead justice).

How do you get on the Supreme Court? The justices are nominated or chosen by the President and are then approved by the Senate (Congress) of the United States. The justices have the opportunity to serve for a lifetime.

How did the Supreme Court get its power? When the judicial branch and Supreme Court was created under the Constitution in 1787, it was weak and did not have much power. Chief Justice John Marshall ( ) changed that.

3 Important Court Cases under Marshall Marbury v. Madison (1803) – The Supreme Court had the right to “judicial review” or the right to judge if laws agreed with the constitution.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) – Congress had the power to do what was “necessary and proper” to run the country. Necessary and Proper Clause also called the “Elastic Clause” – Why?

Gibbons v. Ogden (1823) – decided that Congress had the power to regulate “interstate commerce” between the states.

Exit Slip How does the Supreme Court effect our lives? 2. What does the Supreme Court do?