1. The Supreme Court of the United States of America

2. The Supreme Court Building

3. The Justices Chief Justice John Roberts 8 Associate Justices Six men and three women One African-American and two Hispanics They serve for life or good behavior. A justice may be impeached.

4. The Court

5. The Proceedings The Court term begins on the first Monday of October. Approximately 10,000 petitions are filed each year. If 4 judges agree to hear a case then it goes on the docket.

8. The Procedure Briefs are filed prior to oral arguments for the Justices to study. Oral arguments are held Monday thru Wednesday for two hours. Each attorney gets 30 minutes to present his case. A red light on the podium tells him when his time is up.

9. After Oral arguments the judges meet in complete secrecy to discuss the case. Not even their staff members are permitted in the room. The discussion is led by the Chief Justice. After all Justices had a chance to give their opinions a vote is taken.

10. The Opinion A simple majority vote wins. The winning Judges write the Majority Opinion. A losing Judge may write a Dissenting Opinion. A tie vote means that the Lower Court ruling stands.

12. Opinions may be released at any time but are usually released during the summer months. The Court will deliver the opinion orally first and then a written version will be handed out.

15. The Chief Justice John Roberts

16. The Associate Justices Elena Kagan (52) Antonin Scalia (74) Anthony M Kennedy (73) Clarence Thomas (61) Ruth Bader Ginsburg (77) Stephen G Breyer (71) Samuel Anthony Alito, Jr. (60) Sonia Sotomayor (55)