1. Section 3

2. The Court Decisions are final Intended to be as powerful as the other two branches Chief Justice & 8 associate justices – Appointed for life – Appointed by the President – Approved by the Senate (Judiciary Committee) – May resign at any time

3. Judicial Review Courts can declare laws and actions (local, state, & federal) unconstitutional Lower courts also exercise this power Supreme Court is the final authority on the meaning of the Constitution

4. Marbury v. Madison Established judicial review Decided 1803 Supreme Court found the Judiciary Act of 1789 unconstitutional

5. Jurisdiction Most cases are heard on appeal from lower courts Original jurisdiction in cases involving the states, ambassadors, ministers, and consuls – Only a few cases each year

6. How do most cases get there? Case heard by district court Federal Court of Appeals Supreme Court Court rules Ruling stands Sends back to lower court Appealed to

7. Schedule In session from October to July More than 8000 appeals each year Less than 100 get full hearings – Hear oral arguments from lawyers on both side – Ask questions – Review briefs

8. Court Opinions Majority opinion Concurring opinion Dissenting opinion

9. Who is on the court today? Chief Justice = John Roberts Antonin Scalia Anthony Kennedy Clarence Thomas Ruth Bader Ginsburg Stephen Breyer Samuel Alito Sonia Sotomayor Elena Kagan